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'You are not a modern young lady, Ursie, he would say; and he would often call me 'grandmother Ursula'; but all the same he would listen to my plans with the utmost tolerance and good nature. Ah, those talks in the twilight, before the fatal disease developed itself, and he lay in idle fashion on the couch with his arms under his head, while I sat on the footstool or on the rug in the firelight!
Sara nodded and smiled at us as she led the way to the upper regions. Pandora was for ever opening her box in those days: she was never weary of fingering her silks and satins. 'Now she has gone, let us rest a little, Jill exclaimed, letting her arms fall to her side. 'Are you not tired of it all, Ursie dear? I get so giddy that I keep rubbing my eyes. I never knew weddings meant all this fuss.
She asked after you, Ursie, and sent you a power of love, and I hope it will do you good. 'And what have you been doing with yourself all day, Jill? I asked, rather anxiously. 'Oh, lots of things, tossing back her thick locks. 'Let me see. Lady Betty came to fetch me for a walk, and we met Mr. Tudor. He is all alone, poor man, and very dull without Mr.
Jill's big eyes looked at me affectionately. 'How you have slept, Ursie dear! just like a baby! I have been in and out half-a-dozen times; but no, you never stirred. I told Mr. Hamilton so, when he inquired an hour ago. Now, you are to drink this coffee, and when you are quite awake I will give you his message. 'I am quite awake now, I returned, rubbing my eyes vigorously.
She was very quiet, and hardly said a word as I helped her to undress, but as I sat down by the bedside she drew my head down beside hers on the pillow. 'Don't think I am not grateful because I do not talk about it, Ursie dear, she whispered.
Help me to be quick, Ursie dear, for I feel so queer and tottery. And nothing I could say would prevail on her to remain quietly in her room. While I was arguing with her, she had dragged out her ruby velveteen and was trying to fasten it with her trembling fingers.
'Is not it delicious, Ursie dear? she murmured drowsily. I was glad to see that Miss Hamilton was at the early service. She looked pale and delicate, but there was a brighter look upon her face when she nodded to me in the porch. Her brother was putting her into a fly, and Miss Darrell and Lady Betty followed.
Do, please, Ursie dear, see that she puts on her bonnet straight. And of course I promised to do my best. As it happened, Jill was very tractable and obedient. I think her beautiful bridesmaid's dress rather impressed her. I saw a look of awe in her eyes as she regarded herself, and then she dropped a mocking courtesy to her own image. 'I am Jocelyn to-day, remember that, Ursula.
I made Jill promise to be more patient with her life, and work from a greater sense of duty, and I begged her most earnestly to fight against discontent, and exorcise this youthful demon of hers, and again she promised to do her best. 'I feel better about things, somehow: you have done me good, Ursie; you always do.
'Ursie, don't pretend to look so surprised: you knew all about it: I saw it in your face. Don't you remember what he said that night, that he did not know what would become of him if I died, that he could not bear it? Did you see how he looked when he said it? I remained silent, for I could not deny that Mr.
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