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Chiverton was carrying on a hundred beneficent projects to the Woldshire world's wonder and admiration: she had even prevailed against Morte. "And I believe she would have prevailed had poor Gifford lived; she is a most energetic woman," Sir Edward said. Bessie looked up inquiringly. "Mr. Gifford died of malignant fever last autumn," Sir Edward told her.
He paid her the compliment of an attempt at conversation. He also sat by her at the breakfast, and was kind and patronizing: her grandfather informed her that he was a neighbor of his in Woldshire, Mr. Cecil Burleigh. Bessie blushed, and made a slight acknowledgment with her head, but had nothing to say. He was a very fine gentleman indeed, this Mr.
Miss Charlotte walked behind with Bessie, and remarked that she was pleased to have a link of acquaintance with her already by means of Lady Latimer. Bessie asked whether Lady Latimer was likely soon to come into Woldshire. "We have not heard that she has any present intention of visiting us. Her visits are few and far between," was the formal reply. "I wish she would.
She was at Madame Fournier's she and a younger sister during my first year there." "Then you will be glad to meet again. She was married in Paris only the other day, and has come into Woldshire a bride. They say she is showing herself a prodigy of benevolence round her husband's magnificent seat already: she married him that she might have the power to do good with his immense wealth.
"As if he could not have come into Woldshire and have enjoyed the hunting! Nobody enjoyed it more than he did formerly." He did not come, however, and Bessie was not astonished. Under other circumstances Abbotsmead might have been a cheerful house, but it seemed as if no one cared to make it cheerful now: if the days got over tranquilly, that was enough.
She mentioned some time ago how sorry they all were not to have you at home for a little while before you are carried away to Woldshire." "Then Mr. Wiley has never given them my message! Oh, how unkind!" Bessie was fit to cry for vexation and self-reproach, for why had she not written? Why had she trusted anybody when there was a post?
Bessie was never so impatient as till the day came, and when she mounted Janey to ride to Hartwell she palpitated more joyously than ever she had done yet since her coming into Woldshire. Her grandfather asked her why she was so glad, but she found it difficult to tell him: because my lady had come from the Forest seemed the root of the matter, as far as it could be expressed.
She gave Bessie that sweet smile which was flattering as a caress, and was about to pass on when something wistful in the child's eyes arrested her notice. She stopped and asked if there was any more news from Woldshire. Bessie's round cheeks were two roses as she replied that her grandfather Fairfax had come that he was there at the very moment, watching them from the churchyard.
None of his sons' marriages were to boast of, but Geoffry's, as it turned out, was the least unfortunate of any Geoffry's marriage with Elizabeth Bulmer, that is. If he had not approved of that lady, he had tolerated her pity that he had not tolerated her a little more! The Forest climate had not suited the robust young Woldshire folk.
She was now where she would be, was exuberantly contented, and could not hide how slight a tie upon her had been established by a year amongst her kindred in Woldshire. "This is like old times, Bessie," said the doctor as the Fairfield gate closed behind them. Bessie laughed and tossed her head like a creature escaped. "Yes, I am so happy!" she answered.
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