The third day they reached the baronet's handsome house in St. James's
Square, and found that the forethought of John had provided everything
in the best and most comfortable manner.
It was the first visit of both Jane and Emily to the metropolis; and
under the protection of their almost equally curious mother, and
escorted by John, they wisely determined to visit the curiosities, while
their leisure yet admitted of the opportunity. For the first two weeks
their time was chiefly employed in the indulgence of this unfashionable
and vulgar propensity, which, if it had no other tendency, served
greatly to draw the thoughts of both the young women from the
recollections of the last few months.
While her sister and nieces were thus employed, Mrs. Wilson, assisted by
Grace, was occupied in getting things in preparation to do credit to the
baronet's hospitality.
The second week after their arrival, Mrs. Moseley was delighted by
seeing advance upon her unexpectedly through the door of the breakfast
parlor, her brother, with his bride leaning on his arm. After the most
sincere greetings and congratulations, Lady Chatterton cried out gaily,
"You see, my dear Lady Moseley, I am determined to banish ceremony
between us, and so, instead of sending you my card, have come myself to
notify you of my arrival. Chatterton would not suffer me even to swallow
my breakfast, he was so impatient to show me off."
"You are placing things exactly on the footing I wish to see ourselves
with all our connexions," replied Lady Moseley, kindly; "but what have
you done with the duke? is he not in your train?"
"Oh! he is gone to Canterbury with George Denbigh, madam," cried the
lady, shaking her head reproachfully though affectionately at Emily;
"his grace dislikes London just now excessively, he says, and the
Colonel being obliged to leave his wife, on regimental business, Derwent
was good enough to keep him company during his exile."
"And Lady Laura, do we see her?" inquired Lady Moseley.
"She came with us. Pendennyss and his sister follow immediately; so, my
dear madam, the dramatis personæ will all be on the stage soon."
Cards and visits now began to accumulate on the Moseleys, and their time
no longer admitted of that unfettered leisure which they had enjoyed at
their entrance on the scene. Mrs. Wilson, for herself and charge,
adopted a rule for the government of her manner of living, which was
consistent with her duties. They mixed in general society sparingly;
and, above all, they rigidly adhered to the obedience to the injunction
which commanded them to keep the Sabbath day holy; a duty of no trifling
difficulty to perform in fashionable society in the city of London, or,
indeed, in any other place, where the influence of fashion has
supplanted the laws of God.
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