United States or Tajikistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Gladys's voice sounded somehow blank, there was a curious expression in her eyes. After a moment she looked away. "Oh, well, you must please yourself, of course." Christine turned to the door she held Sangster's letter in her hand. "Besides," she said flippantly, "I'm going over to Heston this afternoon with Mr. Kettering." She went up to her room and shut the door.
Much of the expensive furniture had been sold before letting, but enough remained to satisfy the wants of a not very exacting tenant. Lady Barnes had then departed to weep in exile on a pittance of about seven hundred a year. But with the marriage of her son to Miss Floyd and her millions, the mother's thoughts had turned fondly back to Heston Park.
He kept a boat for fishing and marine sketching; also a gig and an old cropped-eared horse, with which he made sketching excursions. He made at this time the acquaintance of Rev. Mr. Trimmer, the rector of the church at Heston, who was a lover of art, and often took journeys with Turner.
The situation was certainly awkward. At the time of the Barnes's financial crash, and Sir Edward Barnes's death, Heston Park, which belonged to Lady Barnes, was all that remained to her and her son. A park of a hundred acres and a few cottages went with the house; but there was no estate to support it, and it had to be let, to provide an income for the widow and the boy.
"But now, with regard to money; you say he wants money. But surely, at the time of the marriage, something was settled on him?" "Certainly, a good deal. But from the moment she left him, and the Heston bills were paid, he has never touched a farthing of it, and never will." "So that the General's death was opportune? Well, it's a deplorable affair! And I wish I saw any chance of being of use."
French inquired what reason there was to suppose that Beatty would not thrive perfectly at Heston. Roger could only say that the child had seemed to flag a little since their arrival. Appetite not quite so good, temper difficult, and so on. Their smart lady-nurse was not quite satisfied.
The ball at Brendon House Chloe still felt the triumph of it in her veins still saw the softening in Roger's handsome face, the look of lazy pleasure, and the disapproval or was it the envy? in the eyes of certain county magnates looking on. Since then, no communication between Heston and Upcott. Mrs. Fairmile was now a couple of miles from the meet.
He meant honestly and sincerely to keep straight; to do his duty by Daphne and the child. But he was no plaster saint, and he could not afford to give Chloe Fairmile too many opportunities. To break at once, to carry off Daphne and leave Heston, at least for a time that was the obviously prudent and reasonable course.
THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. There is neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window to mark the place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been removed from its place.
Fairmile listened attentively, occasionally throwing in a word of criticism or comment, in the softest, gentlest voice. But somehow, whenever she spoke, Daphne felt vaguely irritated. She was generally put slightly in the wrong by her visitor, and Mrs. Fairmile's extraordinary knowledge of Heston Park, and of everything connected with it, was so odd and disconcerting.
Word Of The Day