Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 16, 2025
Lord Hope had a house in Belgravia, that could always be made ready for the family at a day's notice. So Rachael, who could refuse nothing to her brother, sent up her steward to make preparations one day, and followed him the next with Lady Clara and Hepworth Closs; Margaret Casey and other servants in attendance, of course.
"I think you are a natural actress," said Closs, with a tinge of sarcasm, for this whole subject displeased him, he scarcely could have told why. "Now you mean to be unkind," said Clara, rising, with a warm flush in her cheeks; "I will not ask another favor of you." Clara gathered up her embroidery, and prepared to leave the sheltered seat in which this conversation had been held.
Closs, it's perfect." She was looking down at her work, and he could not detect all the mischief that sparkled under her drooping lashes. "Clara, what does this mean?" The girl looked up at him so innocently. "Mean? Why, it means a cactus-flower." Hepworth Closs had never been a patient man, and the feelings which that wild girl had awakened in his heart were all too earnest for such trifling.
She certainly was not acting now, for Closs saw that her eyes were full of tears. "Clara," he said, holding out both hands; "Clara, forgive me." She hesitated a minute, then set down her basket, and crept close to his side, wiping the tears with one hand, while he clasped the other. Then she snatched her hand away, and held it behind her. "No I won't forgive you."
Did you ever see such a binding? Doesn't the book open easily? Yes; it stops open anywhere. But does it shut equally well? Yes; for the binding and the leaves are flush, all in a straight line, and no gaps or openings anywhere. And look at its back, after seven hundred years. Why, Bozerian, Closs, or Purgold might have been proud of such a binding!"
"And of course, naturally belongs to her brother, my good girl," said Closs, with a quiet smile. "Her brother? Whose brother? Not the Lady that was " The girl broke off, and her voice died in a low whisper. "No, no!" broke in the man, with sudden impatience; "that was a terrible thing, which you and I will be all the happier in forgetting.
I want no greatness or power for myself, unless it comes through the man I love; but for you, Hepworth, I am ambitious, and would rather a thousand times go to America, and share the honors which your own genius would be sure to win, as plain Mrs. Closs, than stay here as mistress of Houghton, a countess in my own right, and you only recognized as the husband of Lady Carset."
Then I hesitated where to go next, and as I stood in the shadow of the steps thinking the matter over, this same woman came through the door, shut it without noise, and ran down to the pavement. I saw her face clearly then, for the street lamp was bright. It was that of the woman by your side, Lord Hope." Rachael Closs turned a pallid face upon her husband. "Will you permit this woman to go on?
The old woman put a hand into her bosom and drew out a small poniard. Rachael Closs gave a sharp gasp, and snatched at the poniard, but the old woman held it firmly. "Lord Hope, this has been in your hands a hundred times. When did you part with it? To what person did you give it? Your crest is on the handle; her blood rusts the blade."
Through the window which looked out upon the lawn, she saw Hepworth Closs come out from the shadow of the cedar, and walk swiftly toward the avenue. By the proud lift of his head, and those quick steps, that seemed to spurn the earth he trod upon, she knew that he had parted from her father in anger, and threw up the window. "Hepworth! Hepworth! Stop! Stop! and tell me where you are going!"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking