United States or Iraq ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
She had studied long ago the adventures of high-born dames and stately nobles, till she was nearly as far gone in romance as Don Quixote; and many questions she had asked about Belfront, and donjon-towers, and keeps, and tiltyards, and laboured very hard to acquire a correct idea of the mode of life and manners of the days of chivalry.
It will easily be believed that no objections to the match were raised on the part of a middle-aged gentleman, with so many reasons for agreeing to the marriage settlement proposed by Reginald Belfront; consisting, as it did, of a jointure to the widow, and the use of Belfront Castle for life, without the remotest allusion to any portion or other contingent advantage on the other side; and as Jane herself was, if possible, still more satisfied on the subject than her father, all the arrangements were rapidly made, and in less than three months after the apparition of the silk gown and other etceteras in the drawing-room, the indissoluble knot was tied, and Miss Cecilia, the second daughter, was advanced to the dignity of Miss Holford, vice Jane promoted.
"Do you not like scholars?" "What's the use of them? I never could see what they were good for and, besides, Mr Peeper hates them too." "Then why does he keep this man as his assistant?" "Because if he didn't, the fellow would rebel." "Well, you could turn him off." "We never turn any body off at Belfront Castle.
"Is this a way to receive a near relation after such a journey?" "Oh, uncle!" "Why, did ye never hear tell of such a place as Kidderminster? have you no carpets?" "Mr Belfront says there were no carpets in his ancestor's time" "And no railroads, nor postchaises, nor books, nor nothing; and is that any reason why we shouldn't have lots of every thing now?
Oh, let him in, by all means!" exclaimed Jane; "he was always so kind to me when I was a child!" "He can't get in, madam, unless Mr Peeper orders the drawbridge to be lowered; and he is now busy with Mr Belfront." "Go for Mr Lutter; he will be glad to hear of uncle Samson's arrival."
"And Mrs Belfront?" "Pickling cod. It is Mr Peeper's favourite dish; so we all live on it sometimes for weeks together." "With such a trout-stream at your door? He'll be a cleverer fellow than I think him if he gets me to eat his salted carrion. Open the door, I say, or you'll have the worst of it when my stick gets near your head. Tell Mrs Belfront her uncle is here her Uncle Samson."
"May I speak to you on the subject to-morrow?" A month had passed since Jane's arrival at Belfront Castle, and she had had many private and confidential conversations with Mr Lutter.
"Any one who holds such diabolic doctrines is not fit to remain in Belfront Castle." "Nay," replied Mr Lutter, "Belfront Castle would be infinitely improved if such doctrines were adopted in it." "Gentlemen," said Reginald, "you are both learned men; and I know nothing about the questions you discuss." "Your lady shall judge between us," said Mr Lutter.
A look from Mr Peeper; a solemn statement from him, that such and such things had never been heard of before in Belfront; and, above all, the use of the muttered and unintelligible jargon to which Mr Peeper betook himself in matters of weight and difficulty, were quite sufficient: Reginald immediately gave up his own judgment, and felt in fact rather ashamed of himself for having hinted that he had a judgement at all.
I must have a talk with Jane. Will you take me to Mrs Belfront? I haven't seen her for five years. She must be much changed since then, and I must prepare her for the arrival of her cousins." Jane was sitting in the great hall, feeling disconsolate enough.
Word Of The Day