A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIVJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
General
A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIV
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Fiction
Chandos Winslow walked up Green-street, at length; and then the
question became, which is General Tracy's house? He fixed upon one,
and rang the right-hand bell. An unknown and powdered servant
appeared, and informed him very civilly, (for Chandos Winslow's
appearance was not easily to be mistaken for anything but that of a
gentleman,) that the house was Lord ----'s; but he added the
information that was wanted. General Tracy's abode, he said, was about
ten doors further up, nearer to the Park: the gentleman would see a
small brass-plate upon the door. Chandos soon found the door and the
brass-plate, and as that house still possessed a knocker, he knocked.
The door was opened by the General's old servant, who had been with
him at Northferry; and the man almost started, certainly gazed with
wonder, when he saw the well-known face which presented itself. He was
an elderly man, whose wits when they once got into that state which I
must call "stirred-up," did not easily settle again; and in his ideas
regarding Chandos Winslow, there was some confusion. In his eyes
Chandos was, according to the happy figure of a celebrated lady,
"three gentlemen in one;" namely, Acton, the gardener, Sir William
Winslow's brother, and the prisoner upon trial for the murder of Mr.
Roberts; and there was in the man's air and manner a mixture of all
the expressions which those three personages were severally calculated
to call up--there was familiarity, there was respect, there was
consternation.
"Lord, Mr. Acton!" he exclaimed, "is that you? Well, I am very glad to
see you, Sir; Lord 'a mercy! only to think!"
"Is General Tracy, at home?" asked Chandos, in a somewhat agitated
tone.
"No, Sir," replied the man; "he has gone with Mr. Tracy to a meeting
of the lawyers; but the young ladies are upstairs, and I am sure they
will be glad to see you."
"Pray, tell them I am here," said Chandos: and the man went up to the
drawing-room accordingly. In a minute after, he came half-way down,
and, looking over, desired Chandos to walk up. With a quick step he
did so, and was ushered into the drawing-room, where he found those
two beautiful girls, both somewhat pale, and both somewhat agitated.
Emily remained upon the sofa; but Rose, with her lip quivering, and
tears in her eyes, advanced to meet him.
"Oh, I am so glad to see you," she said, holding out her hand. "This
is very kind of you, indeed, to come so soon."
Chandos could not refrain; he pressed his lips upon the hand she gave
him; and then turned his eyes for a moment to the face of Emily, to
see if the act surprised her. She only smiled kindly. Chandos saw at
once from her eyes, that the two sisters trusted each other; and a
restraint was at once removed.
"I am very happy, indeed, to see you, Mr. Winslow," said Emily; "for
till this morning we have been sadly anxious about you; and poor Rose
nearly ill with apprehension."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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