CHAPTER III. "But now, alas! the place seems changed, Part of the sunshine of the scene With thee did disappear." LONGFELLOW. A FRESH arrival is certainly a perfect treasure in a country village; especially when young, rich, and unmarried; and nowhere, perhaps, was this more generally felt than by the inhabitants of Illingham, on the present occasion, when Ion Lester, having these three most unexceptionable recommendations, first made his appearance at a small party given by Mrs. Carleton at the Elms, on the evening succeeding that of his return home. Perhaps it may be deemed malicious, but it was no less true, that the deepest interest in this event was taken by mammas having daughters to be disposed of, and by young ladies who were anxious to dispose of themselves. His manners were criticized, and his personal attractions discussed, and neither with any unanimity of opinion. The former, indeed, cold and reserved, were not calculated to inspire universal sympathy, and less so then than ever, for Ion was not always inclined to make himself agreeable, and it unfortunately happened on this very evening, that he was in one of those perverse moods when his brother Con declared, with more decision than reverence, "nothing in heaven or earth moved him." As to his external appearance, his was not a style to please the general taste. Pale and goldenhaired, he stood amidst the throng, distinct alike from all. His eyes, which by candle-light looked dark as the midnight heavens, only raised for one moment, as some familiar name occasionally struck upon his ear, disclosing in their brief but searching glance, the unstirred depths of melancholy, over which the lids drooped so languidly: otherwise, there was no change from the calm indifference which marked his manner to all. For besides being partly a natural manner, it was too early yet upon coming back to the home of his childhood, for him to take much interest in a fresh circle of society, missing one who might have been with him, and without another, too, who, by his devoted friendship was able to invest all scenes and events with an attraction for Ion, by the mere fact of their connection with himself. As to Con, he made himself quite at home, meeting strangers or old friends, with the same easy assurance; while Ken, seeming, if possible, paler and smaller than usual, in a suit of dove-like grey, held back shrinkingly, his tiny hand timidly offered, as here and there he gladly recognized some familiar face. But, happily, he was safely sheltered from any unwelcome notice, by the all-engrossing presence of his elder brother, who, having endured a series of introductions which to him seemed unending, with an air of dreamy unconsciousness leaned idly against the piano, and hoped that for some short time he might be left in peace. "Ion, you dear fellow, do come here!" This affectionate address, uttered in a very unscrupulously audible tone, caused Ion to turn round rather quickly, well knowing that Georgie Carleton was the speaker. "I see you are not disposed to make yourself agreeable this evening," she added, " so you may as well sit by me, you can't annoy me, you know, so you need not try; and as I always feel very charitable to your strange moods, I'll try and amuse you." Ion laughed as he took a seat beside her. "How disinterested! I cannot refuse. Tell me who all these people are that Amy has here to-night; it will save me the penance of having all those introductions over again: for I do not know one of the names." "Very well, whom shall I begin with? The belle of Illingham, I suppose, as you are a votary of the beautiful. You see her, don't you ?—that tall, elegant girl in white. She is the greatest flirt in the village, is Edith Montague. You know you are not to take any of my remarks au pied de la lettre, for I always make a point of abusing everybody, it's so much more satisfactory, as nobody is ever disappointed after making their acquaintance. That little thin woman is her mother." "And that girl at the piano with the radiant hair, who has spent the last five minutes in admiring her hands, and trying to rub them white, who is she? A second S. Cecilia, I can hear, now she has begun playing." "Oh, that's Edith's sister, Arabella. They are both thought to play well, but you are such a quiz of music." "No, not of music, only of discord. There is something familiar, certainly, in those sounds,-a little tender air, plaintively entreating for mercy, amidst those uncommonly brilliant variations; but it is always overpowered by an annihilating crash. But pray continue your remarks,-they are so gra phic. I distinguish the individuals you mean in a moment." : "Well, there are not many worth mentioning, but you'll see the lions and lionesses of Illingham in time they are sure to come after you. About whom shall I enlighten you next? Oh, you see that eagle-visaged individual with a high comb, and a pendant net, that makes one think of a chair with an anti-macassar hanging over it? She is one of Clement Morton's aunts: there are two of them, but the other is not here to-night,-we all hate them." "Charitable, certainly. Who is the lady who seems rather nervous at her vicinity ?" "Mrs. Loudon, the doctor's wife, our cousin Gilbert's guardian, you know. I call her Mrs. Skyblue, she is such a milk-and-water being; but it's the Doctor's fault, he frightened all the spirit out of her, and I ought not to quiz her, she is so good; and she has a regular young lady of a daughter, and an upstart son. James, the second son, is a very nice fellow. He is at Oxford, with Gilbert. I think it is a pity Margaret is engaged to Gilbert, he is not good enough for her: but I suppose it is high treason to say so; and I don't know what Aunt Dudley would say, if she heard my opinion. of her idol. But I do wish, Ion, you could, like a good brother, shake him out of Margaret's thoughts, -it is the only weak point she has." "Most likely she would not thank me for interfering. People are tenacious of their weaknesses." "Yes, so they are. I know I am." "Do you mean to say you have any ? I should have thought it was too feminine for you to confess." Oh, not at all; it is quite as much masculine as feminine to have weaknesses. bother? I have to go and sing. and quiz me. I must try to get Now, isn't that a Pray don't come you off to a safe distance, and not near any one either that you are likely to torment. Oh, I know, just cross over to that corner. You have not seen Mrs. Spencer. The dear old thing won't bore you, I know. Do go to her." "Most willingly. I have not seen her since my return;" and Ion hastened to the opposite side of the room, to renew his acquaintance with the Vicar's sister; while Georgie arrested him for a moment, to whisper, hurriedly, "Don't say a word about Margaret and Gilbert being engaged, for that's only my idea of it." "My dear Mr. Ion, how delightful! I have been looking about for you, as I heard you were here; but my eyes are not so good as they used to be. Do sit down and tell me everything about yourself." "No, pardon me, Mrs. Spencer, this is too public for so explicit a confession; but I should certainly have come to you before, had I known you were here. You are looking very well. How is little Willie ?" Well, my dear, he is just the same. He sent his love to you, and hopes you will soon come over to see him, and your dear brothers also. Mr. Constantine is tall. I hope he is not outgrowing his strength? What a merry boy he is, so like my nephew Henry. You have not seen Henry, yet, though. Now that he is in full orders, he wrote to William, to ask if he would take him as Curate, and said, if he might live with us, he would not require any stipend. So disinterested, was it not? and he only has a little money that was his mother's; for she died, poor thing, soon after he went to Oxford. You must come to the Parsonage and see him, if you do not mind making another acquaintI am sure you will like him.” ance. "I shall be happy to make the acquaintance of |