Squire Arden; volume 3 of 3Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
General
Squire Arden; volume 3 of 3
Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
England -- Fiction; Families -- Fiction; Inheritance and succession -- Fiction; Landowners -- Fiction
“I must go with her,” said Edgar, in his excitement. Something in his
face, some strange likeness never perceived before, startled both his
companions. Arthur Arden rose too. He did not care about Jeanie. He had
forgotten, in this greater excitement, that he was guilty in regard to
the girl. All he thought of was to follow this new clue--to see them
together--to watch the new resemblance he had found out in Edgar’s
face.
CHAPTER XX.
Jeanie was lying propped up on pillows, struggling for breath. Her face,
which had always been like that of an angel, was more visionary, more
celestial than ever; the golden hair, which had always been so carefully
braided, hung about her head like a halo. It was hair which fell in
soft, even tresses, not standing on end or struggling into rebellious
curls: everything about her was soft, harmonious, submissive. Her eyes
were full of light, enlarged, with that fatal breadth and fulness which
generally has but one meaning. A little flush of fever on her cheeks
kept up the appearance of health. Her pretty lips were parted with the
panting, struggling breath. Dr. Somers stood at her bedside, looking
very grave. Sally Timms sat crying in a corner. Mrs. Hesketh came to the
door to meet the poor grandmother, with her apron at her eyes. “She was
took bad half-an-hour after you went--just about when you’d have got to
the Hall; and called and called till it made you sick to hear--‘Granny!
granny! granny!’--never another word. Oh, I’m thankful, Missis, as
you’ve come in time.”
“Half-an-hour after I left!” said Mrs. Murray; “when I was denying the
truth. Oh, me that thought to hide it from the Lord!--me that thought
she was better, and He couldna go back! And the angel cried upon me,
Granny! granny! Lad, do you hear that!--I have lost my Jeanie for you!”
She put her hand upon Edgar’s shoulder as she spoke. Her face was white
and ghastly with her despair. She thrust him from her, almost with
violence. “Oh, let me never see you more! Oh, let me never see you more!
I have lost my Jeanie for you!”
“Is there no hope?” said Edgar, clutching Dr. Somers by the arm. He had
given way to the mother, to let her approach the bed, and now stood
behind with a face so grave and grieved that any answer seemed
unnecessary. He shook his head; and then, after a little interval,
spoke.
“I know no reason why this should have come on. Some agitation which I
cannot explain. There is no hope, unless it can be calmed somehow. The
grandmother may do it, or perhaps----”
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