They found the cottage a beautiful and genteel, though a very small and
retired dwelling, almost hid by the trees and shrubs which surrounded
it, and its mistress in its little veranda, expecting the arrival of
Emily. Mrs. Fitzgerald was a Spaniard, under twenty, of a melancholy,
yet highly interesting countenance; her manners were soft and retiring,
but evidently bore the impression of good company, if not of high life.
She was extremely pleased with this renewal of attention on the part of
Emily, and expressed her gratitude to both ladies for their kindness in
seeking her out in her solitude. She presented her more matronly
companion to them, by the name of Donna Lorenza; and as nothing but good
feeling prevailed, and useless ceremony was banished, the little party
were soon on terms of friendly intercourse. The young widow (for such
her dress indicated her to be), did the honors of her house with
graceful ease, and conducted her visiters into her little grounds,
which; together the cottage, gave evident proofs of the taste and
elegance of its occupant. The establishment she supported she
represented as very small; two women and an aged man servant, with
occasionally a laborer for her garden and shrubbery. They never visited;
it was a resolution she had made on fixing her residence here, but if
Mrs. Wilson and Miss Moseley would forgive the rudeness of not returning
their call, nothing would give her more satisfaction than a frequent
renewal of their visits. Mrs. Wilson took so deep an interest in the
misfortunes of this young female, and was so much pleased with the
modest resignation of her manner, that it required little persuasion on
the part of the recluse to obtain a promise of soon repeating her visit.
Emily mentioned the request of John, and Mrs. Fitzgerald received it
with a mournful smile, as she replied that Mr. Moseley had laid her
under such an obligation in their first interview, she could not deny
herself the pleasure of again thanking him for it; but she must be
excused if she desired they would limit their attendants to him, as
there was but one gentleman in England whose visits she admitted, and it
was seldom indeed he called; he had seen her but once since she had
resided in Norfolk.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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