ORIOLE’S DAUGHTER _NEW LIBRARY NOVELS._ THE HEAVENLY TWINS. By SARAH GRAND, Author of ‘Ideala,’ etc. In 3 vols. ‘Every page is rife with wit and wisdom.’ _Daily Telegraph._ KITTY’S FATHER. By FRANK BARRETT, Author of ‘The Admirable Lady Biddy Fane,’ etc. In 3 vols. ‘Mr. Barrett has the true gift of the story-teller.’ _Speaker._ THE O’CONNORS OF BALLINAHINCH. By Mrs. HUNGERFORD, Author of ‘Molly Bawn,’ etc. In 1 vol. 6s. ‘The humour of the book is delicious.’--_Daily Telegraph._ AVENGED ON SOCIETY. By H. F. WOOD, Author of ‘The Englishman of the Rue Caïn,’ etc. In 1 vol. 6s. ‘Powerfully written and deeply interesting.’ _Manchester Examiner._ LONDON: WM. HEINEMANN, 21, BEDFORD STREET, W.C. ORIOLE’S DAUGHTER _A NOVEL_ BY JESSIE FOTHERGILL AUTHOR OF ‘THE FIRST VIOLIN,’ ‘A MARCH IN THE RANKS,’ ‘PROBATION,’ ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I. [Illustration: Decorative Image] LONDON WILLIAM HEINEMANN 1893 [_All rights reserved_] ORIOLE’S DAUGHTER CHAPTER I. ‘It is too annoying!’ said Minna Hastings aloud, looking darkly towards the door which the _padrona_ had just closed behind her, more gently than usual, on taking her departure. Minna tapped her foot on the floor and frowned, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned a little forward in her chair. Then she let her eyes wander round the large, pleasant room, into which the south sun was pouring warmly, and she frowned again. For a moment she felt a strong impulse to spring up, hasten after Madame Vincenzini, take her by her plump, good-natured shoulders and say, in firm, decided tones: ‘Signora, it will not do. It must not be. You must reconsider this most annoying decision. You must think, not of yourself, but of me.’ It was a most natural impulse. It is the one that comes to nearly all of us when people are going to act in such a manner as to cause us inconvenience. But Minna, of course, conquered the impulse, sank back into her chair, and felt, with a sense of angry desolation, that her morning’s work was simply ruined.