Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 4, 2025
It was a disappointment that Edward found himself too busy to make the hoped-for trip to Viamede at Christmas-time; yet Zoe did not fret over it, and really enjoyed the holidays extremely, giving and receiving numerous handsome presents, and, with Edward's assistance, making it a merry and happy time for the servants and other dependants, as well as for the relatives and friends still in the neighborhood.
"Yes; including those down in Louisiana," returned Dick "Viamede, Magnolia Hall, and a few others. By the way, you have never been down there, have you?" "No, never; but I am hoping that Cousin Elsie will invite me one of these days." "Suppose you don't wait for that, but accept an invitation from me," suggested Dick, giving her a very lover-like look and smile.
For a number of weeks events moved on their even course at Viamede; they were all well and happy, though Lulu's continued obstinacy caused most of them more or less mental disquietude.
There were letters from Viamede, one for Edward from his mother, one for Zoe from Betty Johnson. Both brought the unwelcome tidings that little Grace Raymond and Violet's babe were very ill with scarlet-fever. Edward read aloud his mother's announcement of the fact. "Yes," said Zoe. "Betty tells me the same thing. O Ned! how sorry I am for poor Vi!
We have all been looking forward to your coming as well as to that of dear, darling mamma, grandpa, and the others." At the same time Grandma Elsie was embracing Lulu most affectionately, saying how well she looked, and hoping that she and Grace, as well as the older people, had been enjoying Viamede. "Indeed we have, dear Grandma Elsie," replied Lulu.
For two weeks those short drives yielded the sisters all the intercourse they had. They met with a warm embrace in the morning just before stepping into the carriage, and parted in the same way on their return to Viamede in the afternoon. Then Lulu went directly to her own room, shut herself in, and was seen no more by the other children till the next day.
Alas! what a sorry exchange from their society to that of the Mantons, and from all the loving care that had been bestowed upon her and the many privileges accorded her at Ion and Viamede, to the neglect and indifference to be expected from strangers! As she thought of all this she could not contemplate the carrying out of her sentence of banishment to Oakdale with anything like satisfaction.
"So should I," responded Lulu. "I don't believe there can be lovelier scenery on this earth than what we have been passing through for hours past! I wonder how near we are now to Viamede?" "We are beside it the estate at this moment," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, overhearing their talk; "this orange-orchard is a part of it." Exclamations of delight followed the announcement.
"I know I should miss you sadly," he acknowledged, furtively passing his arm round her waist, for, as usual, they were seated side by side on a sofa; "but I know how you have been looking forward for months to this winter at Viamede, and I don't intend you shall miss it for my sake."
She had attended church regularly with the family, had seen them all occasionally on weekdays, but had not been once permitted to visit Viamede, Magnolia Hall, or the parsonage. If either she or Mr. Dinsmore regretted having begun the struggle which now appeared so interminable, no one else was aware of the fact.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking