United States or Argentina ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Mr Vanburgh followed, stroking his moustache to conceal his smile, and Mrs Rendell's quick eyes saw their approach, and fixed themselves sternly upon Nan's ruined skirt. "Another accident, Edith, worse luck! The grass would get damp, and Mops and I were so interested in looking at our plant that we forgot everything else, and " "So I observe! It is a pity, but I am not surprised.
She told stories of her own adventures or misadventures, which Mr Vanburgh capped by remembrances of his own boyhood; they compared notes as to their mutual sensations at critical moments, and so sympathetic did they appear, that the girl was forced into an expression of astonishment. "You remember so well!
I hope he is not more unwell than usual to-day? He bowed again, like a mechanical figure, and said, `Mr Vanburgh charges me to say, madam, that as he is unable to return visits, he must deprive himself of the pleasure of receiving them while in Waybourne. I never felt so small in my life. Dismissed on the doorstep, and sent away like a child! I don't know how I looked, or what I said.
Nevertheless, the task of opposition was far from pleasant, and the grave wonder of his glance cut like a knife into her vain little heart. It was a relief to know that the presence of a stranger would prevent further reference to the subject for this evening at least, while the Vanburgh nephew and heir was in himself a sufficiently interesting person.
Mrs Raleigh seemed quite indignant because I had no eggs. `Dear me! I quite counted on getting fresh eggs! Mr Vanburgh had only one cup of tea. I don't call that helping the cause of charity!" "I was busy in another direction, and if I neglected the tea, I did my duty nobly by the lemonade.
He may have nieces or grandchildren who will come to stay, and then it would be useful to know a girl in the neighbourhood. I think he is certain to ask me " "Mother!" interrupted Chrissie shrilly; and her voice was so sharp with distress that every one stopped talking, to listen to what she had to say. "Mother, Mrs Maitland has gone to see Mr Vanburgh before you! I asked you to go!
Mummy has gone with father to call on Mr Vanburgh, and I walked with them to the Grange, and came in here to wait until she comes out. She put on all her new things, and looks a perfect duck.
I had heard of Vanburgh, and how Sir Thomas Robinson and he stood spitting and swearing at one another; nay, I had heard of glorious woods, and Lord Strafford alone had told me that I should see one of the finest places in Yorkshire; but nobody ... had informed me that should at one view see a palace, a town, a fortified city; temples on high places, woods worthy of being each metropolis of the Druids, vales connected to hills by other woods, the noblest lawn in the world fenced by half the horizon, and a mausoleum that would tempt one to be buried alive; in short, I have seen gigantic places before, but never a sublime one.
The schoolroom party was inflated with pride at the thought of "My sister Mrs Vanburgh," and even Maud tilted her head and smiled with a complacent air when congratulated on the engagement. As for the parents, they were naturally delighted at the prospect of so prosperous a marriage for their dear girl, while old Mr Vanburgh shed tears of happiness over the fulfilment of a cherished dream.
It was the familiar old story of Little Red Riding-Hood, but the particular feature was an inscription upon the cover written in a delicate feminine hand "For my darling Max on his birthday, June 30th, 18 . Alice Vanburgh, The Beeches, Daneton." "But you told me the boy's father was a rough, drunken tramp, who died in the infirmary."
Word Of The Day