CHAPTER VII (7)

MRS. JOYCE's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for her sons, was entailed, in default of heirs female, on a distant relation; and their father's fortune, though ample for his situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of hers. His mother had been an attorney in Sunnydale, and had left him four thousand pounds.

He had a brother married to a Mrs. Olivia Phillips, who had been a clerk to their mother, and succeeded her in the business, and a sister settled in Los Angeles in a respectable line of trade.

The village of The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's was only one mile from Sunnydale; a most convenient distance for the young gentlemen, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their uncle, and to a weaponry shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Doyle and Angelus, were particularly frequent in these attentions; their minds were more vacant than their brothers', and when nothing better offered, a walk to Sunnydale was necessary to amuse their cloudy morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their uncle. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Sunnydale was the head quarters.

Their visits to Mr. Philips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers' names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mrs. Philips visited them all, and this opened to her nephews a source of felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Willow's large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their father, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign.

After listening one morning to their effusions on the subject, Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy coolly observed,

"From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest boys in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced.''

Doyle was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Angelus, with perfect indifference, continued to express his admiration of Captain Darla, and his hope of seeing her in the course of the day, as she was going the next morning to Los Angeles, and she cut quite a dashing figure in her regimentals.

"I am astonished, my dear,'' said Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, "that you should be so ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly of any body's children, it should not be of my own, however.''

"If my children are silly I must hope to be always sensible of it.''

"Yes -- but as it happens, they are all of them very clever.''

"There is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must so far differ from you as to think our two youngest sons uncommonly foolish.''

"My dear Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, you must not expect such boys to have the sense of their mother and father. -- When they get to our age, I dare say they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself very well -- and indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my boys, I shall not say nay to her; and I thought Colonel Cordelia looked very becoming the other night at Dame Walsh's in her regimentals.''

''Papa,'' cried Angelus, "my uncle says that Colonel Cordelia and Captain Darla do not go so often to Mr. Watson's as they did when they first came; he sees them now very often standing in Clarke's library reading fashion magazines.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with a note for Mr. le Bloddy; it came from the burnt husk of Sunnydale High, and the servant waited for an answer. Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and he was eagerly calling out, while his son read,

"Well, Oz, who is it from? what is it about? what does she say? Well, Oz, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love.''

"It is from Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg,'' said Oz, and then read it aloud.

"My dear Friend,

IF you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Wesley and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's te^te-a`-te^te between two men can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of This. My sister and the ladies are to dine with the officers. Yours ever,

Riley Rosenburg.''

"With the officers!'' cried Angelus. "I wonder my uncle did not tell us of that.''

"Dining out,'' said Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, "Gosh, but that is very unlucky.''

"Can I have the carriage?'' said Oz.

"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night.''

"That would be a good scheme,'' said Spike, "if you were sure that they would not offer to send him home.''

"Oh! but the ladies will have Willow's chaise to go to Sunnydale; and the Lockleys have no horses to theirs.''

"I had much rather go in the coach.''

"But, my dear, your mother cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, are not they?''

"They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them.''

"But if you have got them to-day,'' said Spike, "my father's purpose will be answered.''

He did at last extort from his mother an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Oz was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and his father attended him to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. His hopes were answered; Oz had not been gone long before it rained hard. His brothers were uneasy for him, but his father was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Oz certainly could not come back.

"This  was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!'' said Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all his own. And indeed he had mixed a minor potion to that aim. Till the next morning, however, he was not aware of all the felicity of his contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from the burnt husk of Sunnydale High brought the following note for Spike:

"Spike,

Got sick. They won't let me leave till I'm well. Don't worry.

Yours, &c.''

"Well, my dear,'' said Mrs. Joyce le Bloddy, when Spike had read the note aloud, "if your son should have a dangerous fit of illness, if he should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Willow, and under your orders.''

"Oh! I am not at all afraid of his dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. He will be taken good care of. As long is he stays there and keeps her nasty infectious germs with him, it is all very well. I would go and see him, if I could have the carriage and some strong astringent cleansers.''

Spike, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to Oz, though the carriage was not to be had; and as he was no horse-man, walking was his only alternative. He declared his resolution.

"How can you be so silly,'' cried his father, "as to think of such a thing, in all the dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.''

"I shall be very fit to see Oz -- which is all I want.''

"Is This a hint to me, Spikey,'' said his mother, "to send for the horses?''

"No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.''

"I admire the activity of your benevolence,'' observed Anointed One, "but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.''

"Whatever...we will go as far as Sunnydale with you,'' said Doyle and Angelus. -- Spike accepted their company, and the three young gentlemen set off together.

"If we make haste,'' said Angelus, as they walked along, "perhaps we may see something of Captain Darla before she goes.''

In Sunnydale they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one of the officers' husbands, and Spike continued his walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding himself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty boots, blond hair spiky, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.

He was shewn into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Oz were assembled, and where his appearance created a great deal of surprise. -- That he should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by himself, was almost incredible to Mr. Wesley Lockley and Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg; and Spike was convinced that they held him in contempt for it. He was received, however, very politely by them; and in their sister's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. -- Miss Buffy Summers said very little, and Mrs. Kate Lockley nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to his complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying his coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of her breakfast.

His enquiries after his brother were not very favourably answered. Mr. le Bloddy had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish and not well enough to leave his room. Spike was glad to be taken to him immediately; and Oz, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in his note how much he longed for such a visit, was delighted at his entrance. He was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness he was treated with. Spike silently attended him.

When breakfast was over, they were joined by the brothers, and Spike began to like them himself, when he saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed for Oz. The apothecary came, and having examined her patient, said, as might be supposed, that he had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised him to return to bed, and promised him some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and his head ached acutely. Spike did not quit his room for a moment, nor were the other gentlemen often absent; the ladies being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere.

When the clock struck three, Spike felt that he must go; and very unwillingly said so. Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg offered him the carriage, and he only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Oz testified such concern in parting with him that Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain at the burnt husk of Sunnydale High for the present. Spike most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's to acquaint the family with his stay, and bring back a supply of clothes.

CHAPTER VIII (8)

AT five o'clock the two gentlemen retired to dress, and at half past six Spike was summoned to dinner. To the civil enquiries which then poured in, and amongst which he had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Willow's, he could not make a very favourable answer. Oz was by no means better. The brothers, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves, and then thought no more of the matter; and their indifference towards Oz, when not immediately before them, restored Spike to the enjoyment of all his original dislike.

Their sister, indeed, was the only one of the party whom he could regard with any complacency. Her anxiety for Oz was evident, and her attentions to himself most pleasing, and they prevented his feeling himself so much an intruder as he believed he was considered by the others. He had very little notice from any but her. Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg was engrossed by Miss Buffy Summers, his brother scarcely less so; and as for Mrs. Kate Lockley, by whom Spike sat, she was an indolent woman, who lived only to eat, drink, brood vengefully over the death of her father, and play at cards, who, when she found him to prefer a plain dish of appetisers to a ragout, had nothing to say to him.

When dinner was over, he returned directly to Oz, and Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg began abusing him as soon as he was out of the room. His manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; he had no conversation, no stile, no taste, a terrible die-job, (I mean really bleach) no beauty. Mr. Wesley Lockley thought the same, and added,

"He has nothing, in short, to recommend him, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget his appearance This cloudy morning. He really looked almost wild.''

"He did indeed, Wesley. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must he be scampering about the country, because his brother had a cold? His hair so untidy, so blowsy!''

"Yes, and his attire; I hope you saw his trench coat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the pants which had been let down to hide it not doing its office.''

"Your picture may be very exact, Wesley,'' said Rosenburg; "but this was all lost upon me. I thought Mr. Spike le Bloddy looked remarkably well, when he came into the room this morning. His dirty trench coat quite escaped my notice.''

" You observed it, Miss Buffy Summers, I am sure,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg, "and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your  brother make such an exhibition.''

"Certainly not.''

"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above his ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could he mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.''

"It shews an affection for his brother that is very pleasing,'' said Rosenburg.

"I am afraid, Miss Buffy Summers,'' observed Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg in a half whisper, "that the adventure has rather affected your admiration of his fine eyes.''

"Not at all,'' she replied; "they were brightened by the exercise.'' -- A short pause followed the speech, and Mr. Wesley Lockley began again.

"I have an excessive regard for Oz le Bloddy, he is really a very sweet boy, and I wish with all my heart he were well settled. But with such a mother and father, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.''

"I think I have heard you say, that their aunt is an attorney in Sunnydale.''

"Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Santa Monica.''

"That is capital,'' added his brother, and they both laughed heartily.

"If they had aunts enough to fill all Santa Monica,'' cried Rosenburg, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable.''

"But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying women of any consideration in the world,'' replied Summers.

To the speech Willow Rosenburg made no answer; but her brothers gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar relations.

With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to his room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with him till summoned to coffee. He was still very poorly, and Spike would not quit him at all till late in the evening, when he had the comfort of seeing him asleep, and when it appeared to him rather right than pleasant that he should go down stairs himself. On entering the drawing-room he found the whole party at pool, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be playing poorly he declined it, and making his brother the excuse, said he would amuse himself for the short time he could stay below with a book. Mrs. Kate Lockley looked at him with astonishment.

"Do you prefer reading to pool?'' said he; "that is rather singular.''

"Mr. Spike le Bloddy,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg, "despises pool. He is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else.''

"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,'' cried Spike; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.''

"In nursing your brother I am sure you have pleasure,'' said Willow Rosenburg; "and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing him quite well.''

Spike thanked her from his heart, and then walked towards a table where a few fiction books were lying. She immediately offered to fetch him others; all that her library afforded.

"And I wish my fiction collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but I read mostly non-fiction, and though I have not many novels, I have more than I ever look into. Also, I'm so the 'Net girl." 

Spike assured her that he could suit himself perfectly with those in the room.

"I am astonished,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg, "that my mother should have left so small a collection of novels. -- What a delightful library you have at The Bronze, Miss Buffy Summers!''

"It ought to be good,'' she replied, "it has been the work of many generations.''

"And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books.''

"I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.''

"Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Willow, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as The Bronze.''

"I wish it may.''

"But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take The Bronze for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in California than The San Francisco Bay Area.''

"With all my heart; I will buy The Bronze itself if Summers will sell it.''

"I am talking of possibilities, Willow.''

"Upon my word, Riley, I should think it more possible to get The Bronze by purchase than by imitation.''

Spike was so much caught by what passed, as to leave him very little attention for his book; and soon laying it wholly aside, he drew near the pool table, and stationed himself between Willow and her eldest brother to observe the game.

"Is Mr. Summers much grown since the spring?'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg; "will he be as tall as I am?''

"I think he will. He is now about Mr. Spike le Bloddy's height, or rather taller.''

"How I long to see him again! I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners, and so extremely accomplished for his age! His performance on the sander is exquisite.''

"It is amazing to me,'' said Rosenburg, "how young gentlemen can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.''

"All young gentlemen accomplished! My dear Willow, what do you mean?''

"Yes all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover skreens, and build cabinets. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lord spoken of for the first time, without being informed that he was very accomplished.''

"Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,'' said Summers, "has too much truth. The word is applied to many a man who deserves it no otherwise than by building a cabinet, or covering a skreen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of gentlemen in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished.''

"Nor I, I am sure,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg.

"Then,'' observed Spike, "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished man.''

"Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.''

"Oh! certainly,'' cried her faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A man must have a thorough knowledge of fighting, carpentry, mechanics, be comfortable in his own masculinity, and yet not be afraid to cry to deserve the word; and besides all this, he must possess a certain something in his air and manner of walking, the tone of his voice, his address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.''

"All this he must possess,'' added Summers, "and to all the he must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of his mind by extensive reading.''

"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished men. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.'' said Spike.

"Are you so severe upon your own sex, as to doubt the possibility of all this ?''

" I never saw such a man, I never saw such, as you describe, united.''

Mr. Wesley Lockley and Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg both cried out against the injustice of his implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many men who answered the description, when Mrs. Kate Lockley called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at an end, Spike soon afterwards left the room.

"Spike le Bloddy,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg, when the door was closed on him, "is one of those young gentlemen who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many women, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art.''

"Undoubtedly,'' replied Summers, to whom the remark was chiefly addressed, "there is meanness in all the arts which gentlemen sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.''

Mr. Riley Rosenburg was not so entirely satisfied with the reply as to continue the subject.

Spike joined them again only to say that his brother was worse, and that he could not leave him. Rosenburg urged Mrs. Jones's being sent for immediately; while her brothers, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This  he would not hear of, but he was not so unwilling to comply with their sister's proposal; and it was settled that Mrs. Jones should be sent for early in the morning if Mr. le Bloddy were not decidedly better. Willow Rosenburg was quite uncomfortable; her brothers declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by bouts after supper, while she could find no better relief to her feelings than by giving her housekeeper directions that every possible attention might be paid to the sick lord and his brother.

CHAPTER IX (9)

SPIKE passed the chief of the night in his brother's room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the enquiries which he very early received from Willow by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the two elegant gentlemen who waited on her brothers. In spite of the amendment, however, he requested to have a note sent to The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's, desiring his father to visit Oz, and form his own judgment of his situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents as quickly complied with. Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, accompanied by his two youngest boys, reached the burnt husk of Sunnydale High soon after the family breakfast.

Had he found Oz in any apparent danger, Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing him, that his illness was not alarming, and having kept a cleansing cloth over his face at all times, Mayer Willkins-leBloddy had no wish of Oz recovering immediately, as his restoration to health would probably remove him from the burnt husk of Sunnydale High. He would not listen therefore to his son's proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Oz, on Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg's appearance and invitation the father and three sons all attended him into the breakfast parlour. Rosenburg met them with hopes that Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy had not found Mr. le Bloddy worse than he expected.

"Indeed I have, Madam,'' was his answer. "He is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mrs. Jones says we must not think of moving him. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.''

"Removed!'' cried Rosenburg. "It must not be thought of. My brother, I am sure, will not hear of his removal.''

"You may depend upon it, Sir,'' said Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg, with cold civility, "that Mr. le Bloddy shall receive every possible attention while he remains with us.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was profuse in his acknowledgments.

"I am sure,'' he added, "if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would become of him, for he is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world -- which is always the way with him, for he has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with. I often tell my other boys they are nothing to him. You have a sweet room here, Willow, and a charming prospect over that gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to the burnt husk of Sunnydale High. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry I hope, though you have but a short lease.''

"Whatever I do is done in a hurry,'' replied he; "and therefore if I should resolve to quit the burnt husk of Sunnydale High, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here.''

"That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,'' said Spike.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?'' cried she, turning towards him.

"Oh! yes -- I understand you perfectly.''

"I wish I might take that for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful.''

"That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.''

"Spikey,'' cried his father, "remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.''

"I did not know before,'' continued Rosenburg immediately, "that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study.''

"Yes; but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage.''

>"The country,'' said Summers, "can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.''

"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.''

"Yes, indeed,'' cried Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, offended by her manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town.''

Every body was surprised; and Summers, after looking at him for a moment, turned silently away. Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy, who fancied he had gained a complete victory over her, continued his triumph.

"I cannot see that Los Angeles has any great advantage over the country for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Willow?''

"When I am in the country,'' she replied, "I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is handsome much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.''

"Aye -- that is because you have the right disposition. But that lady,'' looking at Summers, "seemed to think the country was nothing at all.''

"Indeed, Mama, you are mistaken,'' said Spike. "You quite mistook Miss Buffy Summers. She only meant that there were not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.''

"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in the neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four and twenty families.''

Nothing but concern for Spike could enable Rosenburg to keep her countenance. Her brother was less delicate, and directed his eye towards Miss Buffy Summers with a very expressive smile. Spike, for the sake of saying something that might turn his father's thoughts, now asked his if Adam Walsh had been at The Ubiquitous Warehouse of the Le Bloddy's since his coming away.

"Yes, he called yesterday with his mother. What an agreeable woman Dame Walsh is, Willow -- is not he? so much the woman of fashion! so genteel and so easy! -- She has always something to say to every body. -- That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter.''

"Did Adam dine with you?''

"No, he would go home. I fancy he was wanted about the mince pies. For my part, Willow, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my sons are brought up differently. But every body is to judge for themselves, and the Walshes are very good sort of boys, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Adam so very plain -- but then he is our particular friend.''

"He seems a very pleasant young man, and of course so very mulitcultural what with being made from all of those pieces of different demons.'' said Rosenburg.

"Oh! dear, yes; -- but you must own he is very plain. Dr. Angleman Walsh himself has often said so, and envied me Oz's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Oz -- one does not often see any body better looking. It is what every body says. I do not trust my own partiality. When he was only fifteen, there was a lady at my sister Jenny's in town, so much in love with him, that my brother-in-law was sure she would make him an offer before we came away. But however she did not. Perhaps she thought him too young. However, she wrote some verses on him, and very handsome they were.''

"And so ended her effulgent affection,'' said Spike impatiently. "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!''

"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,'' said Summers.

"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.''

Summers only smiled, and the general pause which ensued made Spike tremble lest his father should be exposing himself again. He longed to speak, but could think of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy began repeating his thanks to Willow for her kindness to Oz with an apology for troubling her also with Spikey. Willow was unaffectedly civil in her answer, and forced her younger brother to be civil also, and say what the occasion required. He performed his part, indeed, without much graciousness, but Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy was satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered his carriage. Upon the signal, the youngest of his sons put himself forward. The two boys had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest should tax Willow with having promised on her first coming into the country to give a fight at the burnt husk of Sunnydale High.

Angelus was a stout, well-grown boy of fifteen, with a pale complexion and broody countenance; a favourite with his father, whose affection had brought him into public at an early age. He had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attentions of the officers, to whom his uncle's good dinners and his own easy manners recommended him, had increased into assurance. He was very equal, therefore, to address Willow on the subject of the sparring match, and abruptly reminded her of her promise; adding, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if she did not keep it. her answer to the sudden attack was delightful to their father's ear.

"I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement, and when your brother is recovered, you shall if you please, name the very day of the sparring match. But you would not wish to be sparring while he is ill.''

Angelus declared himself satisfied. "Oh! yes -- it would be much better to wait till Oz was well, and by that time most likely Captain Darla would be at Sunnydale again. And when you have given your sparring match,'' he added, "I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Cordelia it will be quite a shame if she does not.''

Mayor Wilkins-le Bloddy and his sons then departed, and Spike returned instantly to Oz, leaving his own and his relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two gentlemen and Miss Buffy Summers; the latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of him, in spite of all Mr. Riley Finn Rosenburg's witticisms on fine  eyes.
 


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