Arminell: A Social Romance, Vol. 3Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
General
Arminell: A Social Romance, Vol. 3
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
English fiction -- 19th century
The county papers of all political complexions gave laudatory notices of
the late nobleman. Every one who had come within range of his influence
had good words to say of him, and lamented his loss as that of a
relative. Selfish interest undoubtedly mixed with the general regret.
The sportsmen feared that the subscription to the foxhounds would not be
maintained on the same liberal scale; the parsons, that on the
occurrence of a vacancy in the Lamerton patronage, their claims would be
overlooked by the trustees; the medical men regretted that the death had
been too sudden to advantage them professionally; the benevolent
societies feared that the park would not be thrown open to them with the
same liberality; the young ladies that there would be no ball at Orleigh
next winter; the topers that they would not taste again the contents of
a famous cellar; the tradesmen that money would not be spent in the
little country town; the artisans that work would be abandoned and hands
discharged. Of course there was self-interest in the minds of those who
lamented the loss of Lord Lamerton, regret was not unmingled with
selfish feeling; but, then, what motives, what emotions are unmixed? The
coin of the realm is not pure, it consists of metal and alloy; and the
feelings that pass current among men are not less adulterated. But are
they the less estimable on that account? Would they pass if unmixed?
Would they be as poignant if pure? Why, the very prayers in which we
address Heaven have their stiffening of self-concern, and it is this
that gives them their force. Are they less acceptable on that account?
Popular feeling was doubly stirred and sympathy for the family greatly
deepened by the news of the almost simultaneous death of Miss Arminell
Inglett. The notice of her death had appeared first in the _Times_, and
then in all the papers; but the circumstances were only imperfectly
known. It was rumoured that the shock of the news of her father’s death
had affected her fatally—her heart having always been weak—whilst in
London staying with her aunt. Such an account had appeared in one of the
society papers, and perhaps Mr. Welsh could give the best explanation of
how it came there. This was reported at Orleigh. Others said she had
died at the second family place in Northamptonshire; all agreed that she
had been buried there beside her mother. Strange rumours had circulated
about Miss Inglett, but they had been traced to Mrs. Cribbage, and every
one knew that the tongue of that lady, like that of an ox, must be taken
with salt. Consequently the rumours died away, and were wholly
discredited.
And it was true that Arminell Inglett was dead. That is to say, the old
self-opinionated, supercilious, self-willed Arminell was no more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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