H E A R T A N D C R O S S.
Chapter I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., XII., XIII., XIV., XV., XVI., XVII., XVIII., XIX., XX., XXI., XXII., XXIII., XXIV.
HEART AND CROSS.
BY
MRS. OLIPHANT.
AUTHOR OF “MARGARET MAITLAND,” “ADAM GRAEME,” “THE LAST OF THE
MORTIMERS,” “THE LAIRD OF MORLAW,” ETC., ETC.
IN ONE VOLUME.
NEW YORK:
JAMES G. GREGORY.
1863.
HEART AND CROSS.
CHAPTER I.
I know no reason why I should begin my story of the fortunes of theHarleys by a description of my own son. Perhaps it is just because thereis no reason whatever that I feel so much disposed to do it—alsobecause the appearance of that son is the only difference that has cometo my own life since last my unknown friends heard of me, and becausethere is quite an exhilaration in thinking that here is a new audienceto whom I am at liberty to introduce the second Derwent Crofton. Thisstory is not in the least about my boy, and, in consequence, it is quitean unusual delight to be able to drag him in head and shoulders. Womenare not logical, as everybody knows.
My son, then, is, at the present writing, exactly{6} seven years old. Heis a little athlete—straight and strong. We have often explained toourselves that it is in consequence of his having got over the babyperiod of existence sooner than most children do, that he is not quiteso plump, as, for example, that red and white heir of the Sedgwicks, whohas a succession of rosy cushions on all the points where there shouldbe angles of his small frame. Derwent, I confess, has corners abouthim—but then what limbs! what color! what hard, consistent stuff thelittle rogue is made of! And I am not quite sure that I entirely approveof these fat children—not when they are past the baby-age. I will notdelude myself, nor anybody else, into the idea that the boy is veryclever. Truth to speak, he has not taken very kindly as yet tobook-learning; b