Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 694: April 14, 1877. — John Shaqi
Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 694: April 14, 1877.Various
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Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 694: April 14, 1877.
Various
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'I mean, of course, the things that have been given to you, you know,'
she said a little hurriedly, as though afraid that her generosity might
be interpreted too literally; adding, with a little laugh: 'If you took
_everything_ you fancied, there would be nothing left at Fairview, I
expect! But there; just say what is yours, and I will take your word
for it!' she ejaculated, in another outburst of good-nature.
If it had been left to Lilian, very little would have been taken from
Fairview. But it was not left to her; and Mrs Tipper and I were more
business-like, and did not hesitate to secure for Lilian not a few
valuables. That little lady recollected a great many things which had
been named by Mr Farrar as gifts to his child. Fortunately for her, he
had been in the habit of talking about any new purchases which he made
to add to the glories of Fairview, as presents to Lilian. In fact, had
we kept strictly to the letter of Marian's offer, and taken whatever
had been given to Lilian, we might have carried away nearly everything
the house contained. As it was, we did not scruple to claim a great
deal. Her mother's jewellery; a nice little collection of pictures;
the grand piano, which had been a birthday present; and an endless
assortment of valuables, even to a new silver dinner-service. For the
last, we were indebted to Saunders, who reminded Mrs Tipper and Lilian
that Mr Farrar had mentioned at the dinner-table having ordered the new
pattern expressly for his daughter, by-and-by, naming the cost. Poor Mr
Farrar! it is pitiful to reflect how glad we were to avail ourselves of
his little ostentatious speeches, for the benefit of his child.
But in spite of herself, Marian began to look very grave and anxious
as one thing after another was eagerly named by the servants as 'Miss
Lilian's.' They had got scent of what was going on, and were eager to
give evidence of this or that having been given to her. She had made
up her mind to be generous, and strove hard with herself. But when it
came to be a question of a set of diamonds, she could control herself
no longer, nervously questioning as to the evidence of its having been
a gift to Lilian's mother. Was the inscription inside the case--'To
my dear Wife, on our wedding-day'--sufficient to make the diamonds
Lilian's; and would Lilian mind repeating his exact words when her
father put them into her hands on her last birthday.
'Of course I only want what is right; but she wasn't his wife, you
know; so it couldn't be their wedding-day,' anxiously ejaculated
Marian, her eyes dwelling fondly upon the jewels in their open cases.
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