The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

A Strange Revenge. 517
" Julia, child, and mark what I say for thy future guid-
ance ; there is abundance in the world for thee to learn
without enquiring into thy father's affairs, with which thou
hast no concern !"
That was the answer, deliberately and sternly uttered,
he had given her many years ago when she put a thought-
less question—she would never forget them ; no, nor the
decisive rebuke that was administered in his manner while
he said the words. Crossing the brook by the stepping-
stones, the doing which caused her to display a pair of as
dainty little feet as ever put the final touches to maidenly
beauty. Miss Somerton entered a rustic boudoir, constructed
for her exclusive use, in a clump of trees near by, and,
throwing herself into the chair, settled down to reflection.
It is in these romantic situations that maidens indulge in
their love dreams. By a natural association of ideas this
thought does recur to her, but she dismisses it with a
smile—a c)-nicle smile. How stands the case ?
" Here I am," so ran her thoughts, which she successively
noted on each finger, " the only child and daughter of
Professor Somerton. Once poor, he is now rich—on pills,
but that doesn't matter. He was jilted, when a young
man, by the only woman he really loved ; which means
that he did not really love another— poor, dear mother,
whom I must have seen, and that's all. He comes to
Scotland ; finds that his old rival is laird of his Ilk ; and
resolves to fulfil an old vow that he made to have revenge.
I am called in, like a dutiful daughter, to act a main part
in the drama. It is getting very disagreeable, though I
liked the fun at first. According to instructions, I have
made him—love me !"
For a conspirator, Miss Somerton's face wore an
expression more pathetic than was consistent with the
fole ; and she began to wink rapidly as if a film had
suddenly crossed her eyes. But the midges, animated by
the strong rays of the sun, now setting, had begun to
dance, and one, or perhaps two, might have been attracted
to suicide by the brightness of her eyes !