England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Inheritance and succession -- Fiction
"Meeting my old friend Mrs. Dodd a few days ago, I was sorry to find
from her that your favorite, Rachel Trant, had been very unwell. She had
had a great deal of work, thanks to your kind efforts on her behalf, and
sat at it early and late; then she took cold. I went to see her, and
found her in a state of extreme depression, like that from which you
succeeded in rousing her. I think it would be well if she could have a
little change. Are there any cheap, humble lodgings at Sandbourne, where
she might pass a week or two? I shall pass this matter in your hands."
"I am sure old Norris's wife would take her in. They have a nice
cottage, almost on the beach, close to the point."
"No doubt. Really that Rachel of yours is in great luck. I wonder how
many poor girls in London are dying for a breath of sea-air?"
"Ah, hundreds, I fear. But then, you see, they have not been brought
under my notice, and Rachel has; so I will do the best I can for her. I
am sure she is no common woman."
"At all events she has no common luck."
Katherine lost no time in visiting Mrs. Norris, and found that she was
in the habit of letting a large, low, but comfortable room upstairs,
where the bed was gorgeous with a patchwork quilt of many colors, and
permitting her lodgers to dine in a small parlor, which was her own
sitting-room.
The old woman had not had any "chance" that season, as she termed it,
and gladly agreed to take the young person recommended by her husband's
liberal employer. So Katherine walked back to write both to Bertie and
their _protegee_.
During her absence De Burgh had called, but left no message. And
Katherine felt a little sorry to have missed him, as she thought it
probable he would go on to town that afternoon, and she wanted to hear
some tidings of Errington, yet could hardly nerve herself to ask.
The evening was gloriously fine, and as Miss Payne did not like boating,
the pony-carriage was given up to her, the boys, and Miss North the
governess, for a long drive to a farm-house where the boys enjoyed
rambling about, and Miss Payne bought new-laid eggs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account