The Rebel of the Family

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. THE TRAIN LAID. There was a dance at the casino to-night, and the Winstanleys were going. As they were here they might as well profit by such amusements as were to be had; and though these balls at the casino were certainly quite unEnglish, still they amused the child, and that was everything. It was so natural that she should like to be amused, and that they, the staid elder sister and the indulgent mother, should like to see her pleased! So said Mrs. Winstanley to her compatriots when half-explaining half-excusing an action which really wanted neither explanation nor excuse. Had she been quite clear in her conscience--had she not been guilty of coquettingwith chances in the person of Bois-Duval-- VOL. II. L she would not have made that little speech. It was a defence and a shield, a blind and a mask, and she thought herself well concealed behind it. And when the young men said "Of course," things looked smooth and pleasant enough, and the circumstances of the evening were accepted as simply as if public dances at a foreign casino were part of the ordinary experience of well-born English ladies. Hubert and Sir James went up together to ask Eva for the first waltz. It was a friendly kind of rivalry, in which neither was jealous of the other, though each desired to win. But little Eva shook her head. "I am awfully sorry," she said, making up a distractingly pretty and penitent face. "I cannot help it, you know, but I am engaged to the Vicomte. He asked me first, so what could I do?" "What a shame!" cried Hubert hotly. "That fascinating gentleman certainly understands the value of the 'forelock, ' as he calls it," said Sir James with a sneer. "Yes, doesn't he?" returned Eva innocently. "He is so awfully quick! He is not like...