I think it is her
mother's hand. How nice of him!'
'Now, Lily, don't go and be too apologetic,' said Jane. 'Assert your
right, or you'll have it all over again.'
'Without Jenny to do prudence,' said Lord Rotherwood, while Lady
Merrifield, hardly hearing either of them, hurried on in search of her
niece, but they would have been satisfied if they could have heard her.
'My dear, here's your letter. I am so sorry to have been too much
hindered to look at it before. You must not mind, Dolly. I know it is
very disagreeable; but every one who has the care of precious articles
like young ladies is bound to look after them.'
Dolores took the letter with a kind of acknowledgement, but no more,
for its detention offended her, and she was aggrieved at the prospect
of future inspection, as another cruel stroke inflicted upon her.
Aunt Adeline was found in the drawing-room, where she had entertained
such ladies as were afraid of the damp, or who did not approve of the
dancing, and would not look on at it. Thence all went off to a merry
meal, where the elders plunged into old stories, and went on capping
each others' recollections and making fun, to the extreme delight of
the young folk, who had often been entertained with tales of
Beechcroft. Aunt Ada declared that she had not laughed so much for ten
years, and Aunt Jane declared that it was too bad to lower their
dignity and be so absurd before all these young things.
'It's having four of the old set together!' said Lord Rotherwood; 'a
chance one doesn't get every day.
Pages:
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119