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Show 104 THE MORMON LION "I can find time for one ball," I replied. "Just the same, you'll do well to consider your health," he rejoined. Though he spoke in a careless tone, Cora shuddered and glanced at me with unmistakable terror in her brown eyes. But I was in no mood to be cowed by veiled threats. I feigned to misunderstand. " Thanks! thanks, Brother Chilcott! You could not be more thoughtful if you were my own bloodkin. You've no cause to worry, however. I have fully recovered my health and strength. Still, if you advise me to ask counsel of Brigham--" He frowned, but could detect nothing at which to take umbrage in my questioning gaze. As he turned to compliment Lucy upon her embroidery, which Mrs. Senby had thoughtfully handed to her, Cora breathed a deep sigh of relief and murmured in mx ear: " Clever! clever! I feared you would anger him. ' There could be no doubt that her husband would ha vc been angered had he seen the confidential manner in which she leaned over to tell me this, and the coquettish glance that followed. I was alarmed at her recklessness and endeavoured to at once start again a general conversation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Senby seconded my efforts so well that Chilcott soon found himself addressing the room instead of Lucy alone. As a Bishop, he could not well refuse to expound when asked to elucidate Church doctrines. When he came to the inevitable comments on the sacredness and necessity of celestial marriage, Lucy ceased to take part in our inquiries and bent low over her embroidery. Yet she was now somewhat accustomed to preachments on the principles of plurality and could not have found his general remarks as trying as had been the fulsome compliments that he had paid her. When she looked up, which was seldom, it was to gaze at Cora and myself with a puzzled, questioning expression. My companion had given over her THE MORMON LION 105 coquettish glances, only to inquire with marked deference my judgment on subjects already expounded by her husband. This so chafed him that he ended our call much sooner, I believe, than he otherwise would have done. As he rose to leave, he volunteered to confer his blessing upon Sister Neville. He stood with his big hands outspread above her downbent head while he solemnly invoked the Lord to confer upon her earthly and spiritual prosperity and salvation through the favour of a pnest high in the service of the Church. The inference was obvious. In the heat of my resentment, I resolved to stay and demand Lucy's consent to marry me without delay. Again Cora frustrated my plans. She took my arm and I could not refuse to esc01i her to the street. As I handed her into the carriage, Chilcott thrust me after her and sprang in to seat himself beside me. Amanda scrambled up the step, and at Chilcott's sharp command, the coachman eased his hold on the prancing horses. We whirled away before I could recover from my surpnse. |