United States or Mauritius ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"I can love still, for I love him," she said, as she luxuriated in young Crossjay's boy's voice, again envying him his bath in the lake waters, which seemed to her to have the power to wash away grief and chains. Then it was that she resolved to let Crossjay see the last of her in this place.
Young Crossjay had a short conversation with Miss Middleton, and ran to the cottage full of her she loved the navy and had a merry face. She had a smile of very pleasant humour according to Vernon. The young lady was outlined to Laetitia as tall, elegant, lively; and painted as carrying youth like a flag. With her smile of "very pleasant humour", she could not but be winning.
But I hope you did not listen to a private conversation. Miss Middleton would not approve of that." "Colonel De Craye, how could I help myself? I heard a lot before I knew what it was. There was poetry!" "Still, Crossjay, if it was important was it?" The boy swelled again, and the colonel asked him, "Does Miss Dale know of your having played listener?" "She!" said Crossjay.
"Is the village where I posted my letter the day before yesterday too far for you?" Crossjay howled in contempt. "Next to Clara, my favourite's Lucy," he said. "I thought Clara came next to Nelson," said she; "and a long way off too, if you're not going to be a landlubber." "I'm not going to be a landlubber. Miss Middleton, you may be absolutely positive on your solemn word."
He was extravagantly funny and self-satisfied: a conqueror of the sex having such different rewards of enterprise. Vernon recovered in time to accept the absurdities heaped on him. "Climbing peaks won't compare with hunting a wriggler," said he. His allusion to the incessant pursuit of young Crossjay to pin him to lessons was appreciated.
The bathers reappeared on the grass-ridge, racing and flapping wet towels. Some one hailed them. A sound of the galloping hoof drew her attention to the avenue. She saw Willoughby dash across the park level, and dropping a word to Vernon, ride away. Then she allowed herself to be seen. Crossjay shouted. Willoughby turned his head, but not his horse's head. The boy sprang up to Clara.
Young Crossjay listened to the drumming of his head. Somewhere in or over the cavity a drummer rattled tremendously. Sir Willoughby's laboratory door shut with a slam. Crossjay tumbled himself off the ottoman. He stole up to the unclosed drawing-room door, and peeped. Never was a boy more thoroughly awakened.
Miss Middleton and young Crossjay were within hail: it was her face he had seen, and still the idea of a vision, chased from his reasonable wits, knocked hard and again for readmission.
In the morning, she went to Laetitia's room, knocked, and had no answer. She was informed at the breakfast-table of Miss Dale's departure. The ladies Eleanor and Isabel feared it to be a case of urgency at the cottage. No one had seen Vernon, and Clara requested Colonel De Craye to walk over to the cottage for news of Crossjay.
A dim sentiment of impropriety in unburdening his overcharged mind on the subject of Miss Middleton to Colonel De Craye restrained him from defending himself; and so he heaved and tossed about till daybreak. At an early hour, while his hospitable friend, who looked very handsome in profile half breast and head above the sheets, continued to slumber, Crossjay was on his legs and away.
Word Of The Day