United States or Guyana ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It seemed strange that a girl should show so little eagerness to read a lover's letter; but Mrs Rendell reflected that perhaps Lilias preferred to leave the greater treat to the last, and comforted herself thereby. When Ella's letter had been read, then of course Ned's would be even more eagerly devoured; but no!
She was royally angry, poor Lizzle: told me I had no right to be alive when a better man than myself was dead. I agreed: Rendell was the better man, though he didn't behave well to me. He died better than he lived. Out there it didn't seem to matter much. He died in my arms." "Did you forgive your wife?" "I never lived with her again, if that's what you mean.
How can you tell that mother will consent to let you have the sale at all?" And at that the listeners hung their heads and were silent, for it was indeed useless to build castles unless they were first assured of this foundation. After dinner that evening the six girls assembled in the drawing-room, and little Mrs Rendell sat in their midst on a low chair drawn up in the centre of the fireplace.
The suggestion came from you in the first instance!" "Pooh! What a child! Such notions as she takes!" cried Mrs Rendell laughingly. "How it comes about is little matter; you don't need to be told how truly delighted Mabel will be to have you. You can believe in that, at least. And Paris! You have always wanted to go to Paris, dear!" "Yes, mother, I have. Oh yes, always!"
It is most kind of you to think of it, and if Mrs Rendell will really allow me, I shall be delighted to accept your invitation." So Nan ran across the street, and entered the house with the great news that Gervase Vanburgh had arrived, and given a formal invitation was coming that very evening to make the acquaintance of the family.
Mrs Rendell would have died rather than acknowledge a special weakness towards any member of her flock; but as a matter of fact her youngest-born possessed a power of wheedling favours which none of her sisters could boast, and was herself agreeably conscious of the fact, and fond of putting it to the test. "I am sure you will approve of our scheme, and feel pleased with us for thinking of it.
Every stroke seemed, to sound the knell of the bright hopes with which she had looked forward to this meeting, every stroke brought the parting nearer. If Maud did not speak, the other girls more than made up for her silence, talking all together in true Rendell fashion, and telling the news of the last few months in their usual breathlessly eager fashion.
Such was the character given to Gervase Vanburgh in Miss Elsie Rendell's diary that evening; and perhaps for once the youthful author was not far wrong in her conclusions! The next morning at ten o'clock the Italian servant was entrusted with a message from his master which created a wild excitement in the Rendell family.
He can be practical sometimes; can say a wise and generous thing at intervals; but he is often very mysterious, and has a large reverence for that which very few people can get at- "the spiritual sense." Mr. Rendell is an author as well as a preacher; he has dived into anti-diluvian history, and has tried to bring up mystic treasures from the post-diluvian period.
His face lengthened with horror as he withdrew his handkerchief, and gazed upon the results of his labour; and Nan said dismally "Thank you so much! It's much worse now! Wish I were old enough to wear black always, and not be bothered. My life's a burden to me because of my clothes!" "For the mother's pride the child must suffer pain!" cried Mr Rendell, laughing.
Word Of The Day