Back went Frank again to Dr. Raynor's to prepare for his own
departure. Very busy was he that day. Now talking with his uncle, now
with Edina, now with Mr. Hatman; and now running about Trennach to
shake hands with all the world in his sunny-natured way. A hundred
good wishes were breathed by him. Even to Blase Pellet Frank gave a
kindly word and nod at parting.
It was late in the afternoon when he, in a close carriage provided for
the occasion, went up to the Mount for Daisy. She was ready, and came
out, attended to the door by Tabitha: Mrs. St. Clare and Lydia did not
appear. Thence she and Frank drove to the station: and found they had
five minutes to spare.
Frank had been seeing to the luggage, when Daisy came out of the
waiting-room to meet him. It was one of those small stations that
contain only one waiting-room for all classes.
"There's the most beautiful girl that I ever saw sitting inside,
Frank," she said in an undertone.
"Is there?" he carelessly remarked.
"I could not keep my eyes from her, she is so lovely. But she looks
very ill."
They turned into the waiting-room together. And, to Daisy's extreme
surprise, she, the next moment, saw Frank go up and speak to this
girl; who was sitting there with an elderly companion, both in deep
mourning. Daisy, her gaze fixed on the beautiful face, wondered who
they could be.
But there was no further time for waiting. The train came puffing in,
and all was bustle. Daisy saw Frank again shake hands cordially with
this delicate-looking girl, and whisper a few farewell words to her.
She was evidently not departing by this train: probably by one going
in the opposite direction.
"Who was it, Frank?" questioned Daisy, when they were at length seated
in the carriage.
"It is Rosaline Bell. She and her aunt are going back to Falmouth."
"_That_ Rosaline Bell!" exclaimed Daisy, her face flushing deeply.
"I--I--did not know she was so beautiful."
PART THE SECOND.
CHAPTER I.
AT EAGLES' NEST.
In a luxurious chamber at Eagles' Nest, where the carpet was soft as
moss to the tread, and the hangings were of silk, and the toilette
ornaments were rich and fragile, sat Edina Raynor. Her elbow rested on
the arm of the chair, her thoughtful face was bent on her hand, her
eyes were taking in the general aspect of the room and its costly
appurtenances.
It was autumn weather now, and Edina had come on a short visit to
Eagles' Nest. She had wished to put off the visit until the following
spring, but had yielded to persuasion. One or other of them at Eagles'
Nest was perpetually writing to her; and at last Dr. Raynor added his
word to theirs. "There is no reason why you should not go, Edina," he
said. "Hatman and I get on famously together, you know; and I am
better than I was." And so Edina had made the long journey; and--here
she was.
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