FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168  
169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   192   193   >>   >|  
ady Desmond at her ease. But this letter was brought to her in the most open manner, and an answer to it openly demanded. She turned it round slowly in her hand, and then looking up, said, "Mamma, this is from Owen Fitzgerald; what had I better do with it?" "From Owen Fitzgerald! Are you sure?" "Yes, mamma." And then the countess had also to consider what steps under such circumstances had better be taken. In the mean time Clara held out her hand, tendering the letter to her mother. "You had better open it, my dear, and read it. No doubt it must be answered." Lady Desmond felt that now there could be no danger from Owen Fitzgerald. Indeed she thought that there was not a remembrance of him left in her daughter's bosom; that the old love, such baby-love as there had been, had vanished, quite swept out of that little heart by this new love of a brighter sort. But then Lady Desmond knew nothing of her daughter. So instructed, Clara broke the seal, and read the letter, which ran thus:-- Hap House, February, 184--. My promised Love, For let what will happen, such you are; I have this morning heard tidings which, if true, will go far to drive me to despair. But I will not believe them from any lips save your own. I have heard that you are engaged to marry Herbert Fitzgerald. At once, however, I declare that I do not believe the statement. I have known you too well to think that you can be false. But, at any rate, I beg the favour of an interview with you. After what has passed I think that under any circumstances I have a right to demand it. I have pledged myself to you; and as that pledge has been accepted, I am entitled to some consideration. I write this letter to you openly, being quite willing that you should show it to your mother if you think fit. My messenger will wait, and I do implore you to send me an answer. And remember, Lady Clara, that, having accepted my love, you cannot whistle me down the wind as though I were of no account. After what has passed between us, you cannot surely refuse to see me once more. Ever your own--if you will have it so, OWEN FITZGERALD. She read the letter very slowly, ever and anon looking up at her mother's face, and seeing that her mother was--not reading her book, but pretending to read it. When she had finished it, she held it for a moment, and then said, "Mamma, will you not l
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168  
169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   192   193   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

letter

 

Fitzgerald

 

mother

 
Desmond
 

accepted

 
passed
 

daughter

 
openly
 

answer

 

slowly


circumstances

 

engaged

 

pledge

 

interview

 
entitled
 
Herbert
 
pledged
 

declare

 

favour

 

consideration


demand
 

statement

 

FITZGERALD

 
reading
 

moment

 

finished

 

pretending

 

refuse

 
messenger
 
implore

remember
 

surely

 
account
 

whistle

 
tendering
 

answered

 

thought

 

remembrance

 

Indeed

 

danger


demanded

 

turned

 

manner

 

brought

 

countess

 

happen

 

promised

 
February
 

morning

 

tidings