Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 10, 2025
"But it is meant for you, not for me," says Miss Delmaine, holding the letter in her hand, and glancing at it with great distaste. "He probably intended no other eyes but yours to look upon it." "But I must obtain advice from some one, and who so natural to expect it from as you, my nearest relative?
This the old lady, though strongly disinclined to quit the castle, is debating in her own mind, and, being swayed by Lady Gertrude, who is secretly rather bored by the dullness that has ensued on the strange absence of their host, decides to leave on the morrow, to the great distress of both Dora and Florence Delmaine, who shrink from deserting the castle while its master's fate is undecided.
So Florence, vice Dora retired, joins the game, and the play continues with unabated vigor. When however Lord Lisle has scored a grand victory, and all the players declare themselves thoroughly exhausted and in need of refreshment, Sir Adrian comes forward, and walks straight up to Miss Delmaine, to Dora's intense chagrin and the secret rage of Arthur Dynecourt.
Indeed, to a casual observer, her cousin looks scarcely her junior. Miss Delmaine is tall, slender, posée more or less, while Mrs. Talbot is prettily rounded, petite in every point, and nervously ambitious of winning the regard of the male sex. During the past week private theatricals have been suggested. Every one is tired of dancing and music.
Talbot, who has recovered her spirits a little, is chattering gayly, and monopolizing Sir Adrian to the best of her ability, whilst Miss Delmaine is strangely silent, and seems lost in a kind of pleased wonder as she gazes upon all her charming surroundings. The last rays of light are streaming in through the stained-glass windows, rendering the old hall full of mysterious beauty.
"You think there is, or was, an engagement between Arthur and Miss Delmaine?" he begins, with his eyes fixed upon the ground. "I think nothing, you silly man," says the widow playfully, "until I am told it. But I am glad Florence is once more friendly with poor Arthur; he is positively wrapped up in her.
"What is it all about?" asks Arthur Dynecourt presently, glancing at the animated group in the middle of the room. And Sir Adrian, hearing his question, explains it to him. "Ah, indeed!" he says. And then, after a scarcely perceptible pause "Who is to be Kate Hardcastle?" "Miss Delmaine," answers Sir Adrian, who is still leaning over that young lady's chair.
"A very sensible hesitation, I think," says his cousin coolly. "You should thank me then for coming to your relief this afternoon; I have played the part several times, and shall be delighted to undertake it again, and help you out of your difficulty." At this Miss Delmaine flushes angrily, and opens her lips as if she would say something, but, after a second's reflection, restrains herself.
Talbot declares, with a graceful little shrug of her shoulders, at which her friend Miss Delmaine laughs aloud. "I accept your advice, Sir Adrian," she says, casting a mischievous glance at him from under her long lashes. "And yes, Dora will take champagne too when it comes." "Naughty girl!" exclaims Mrs. Talbot, with a little flickering smile.
Miss Delmaine, having given a grave assent to this arrangement, moves away, as though glad to be rid of her companion. A few minutes afterward Dynecourt, meeting Mrs. Talbot in the hall, gives her an expressive glance, and tells her in a low voice that he considers himself deeply in her debt. "You are late," says Arthur Dynecourt in a low tone.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking