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Gratacap said to Maurice, "It's a pity your grandmother is so cantankerous; but, I'm used to cranks and whims of all sorts of folks, and it's only for her own sake, that I wish she'd make herself more at home here. Who'd think she was the mother of that poor dear lying so low? and she never to have a word of comfort to throw at him. But people's ways an't alike, thank goodness!
Gratacap belonged to the "Eastern States," albeit the very opposite of oriental in her appearance and characteristics. She was a tall, angular, grave-visaged person, possessing such decided, common-place good sense that she came under the head of that feminine class which Dickens has taught the world to designate as "strong-minded."
Gratacap sat knitting, and, in a few words, told her what had occurred. "Poor dear!" cried the compassionate nurse. "I feared it would be so. I saw it coming this last week; and a third stroke is a death-knell that's certain! But it will be a blessed escape for the poor dear; so don't take on, Mr.
Could Maurice answer "At Madeleine's?" He still hesitated, and the countess, with more rapid steps than she was wont to use, hastened to Count Tristan's bedroom. Mrs. Gratacap greeted her with "Oh, poor dear, don't take on about it! We couldn't but expect that it would come soon, and"
Gratacap was right; one hour later, the countess, with a look which reminded Maurice, of the days when she swayed unopposed, informed him that Count Tristan had been pronounced by his physician sufficiently convalescent to bear a sea-voyage, and that she intended to leave Washington that day week, for New York, and take the first steamer that sails for Havre.
Gratacap, after delivering this admonitory sentiment, was returning to the patient when she encountered Bertha, and inquired, "Did Mr. Gramont say when he would come back?" "He did not say; but I think he will be absent for a couple of hours," replied Bertha. "Oh, if that's the case, I must get a helping hand somewhere. You're a young thing, and, I dare say, strong enough.
Gratacap interrupted her, but without the least show of ill-temper. "Now I tell you, if it's all the same to you, I'd just as lief you'd call me by my name, and that's 'Gratacap' 'Mrs. Gratacap! Fair play's a jewel, you know, and you didn't like my calling your grandson a 'young man' even, but politely begged that I'd term him 'Mr.
When the hand of Maurice was on the door of his grandmother's salon, he could distinguish the sound of angry voices within, his grandmother's sonorous tones and the sharper voice of Mrs. Gratacap. As he entered, the latter was saying, "It's a sin and a shame, I tell you! And I'll not have the poor dear made miserable in that way, while he is under my charge.
As soon as he caught sight of Maurice, he cried out, "I'm not going! I'm not going, I say! Maurice, come, come and tell her!" "What has happened?" inquired Maurice, with deep concern. The countess attempted to speak, but Mrs. Gratacap was too quick for her. "Here's the madame has been talking to the poor dear until she has driven him half wild.
The countess, compelled by these intrusions to address the enemy, and galled by the necessity, said sternly, "Go to the servants and get what is needful." "Law sakes! You needn't take my head off! I haven't got any other and can't spare it!" answered Mrs. Gratacap, not in the least abashed.
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