"I am glad of that," Clodagh replied. "Then," she went on, somewhat
nervously, "perhaps you won't wear your very best dresses there, or
shall I take out everything?" for this terrifying question of packing
and unpacking was still uppermost in her mind.
"Oh dear me!" exclaimed Paulina crossly, "perhaps not. How can I say?
You'll just have to see. That's what I want you for--to use your
intelligence; don't you understand? I hate being asked about every
trifle." Then, feeling that she had been speaking irritably, she went on
more kindly: "I suppose you've got some tidy gowns of your own--your
granny liked you to look nice, I know."
"I haven't got any proper evening gowns," said Clodagh. "I used to wear
simple white muslin--not grown-up gowns, you know, but since grandmother
died I've only had black."
"Ah yes, of course," Paulina agreed. "Well, just wear your nicest black
in the evening. Your being in mourning will explain it's not being full
dress. When we get to St. Aidan's"--the place where she intended to
drink the waters--"I'll see about some gowns for you. I hear that the
shops there are quite modish."
"Thank you," said Clodagh gratefully. But in her heart she was thinking:
"Oh dear, if _I_'m to have more clothes, it will make the packing still
worse, and where am I to put them if Cousin Paulina complains already of
my luggage?"
But no more was said on the subject just then, and before very long they
found themselves at Felway, where they left the coach, to complete the
rest of the day's journey in Squire Marriston's chariot, which was
awaiting them, as well as, to Paulina's satisfaction, a cart for their
voluminous belongings.
The elder girl stepped into the roomy vehicle and glanced round her with
approval.
"What a comfort to be less crowded up!" she exclaimed. "Clodagh, tell
them to put everything in the cart. Just give me my satin mantle--these
hot days sometimes end in chilly evenings--nothing else," and as her
cousin obeyed her, "You are sure nothing was left in the coach?"
"Nothing," replied Clodagh confidently. "Still, I'll glance inside
again, to make quite sure," and she did so, for the stage-coach was
still there, waiting for fresh horses.
She came back to report satisfactorily, and they set off.
It was a longish drive, five or six miles, and the latter part through
rough roads and lanes which reminded Clodagh of her native land.
"Thank goodness," said Paulina more than once, "that it is not winter
or very wet weather. We should stick fast in the mud in these
cart-tracks, to a certainty."
But before long they reached the Priory, safe and sound, and as they
drove up the avenue, caught sight of two or three figures waiting to
welcome them in front of the picturesque old house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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