The Last of the Mortimers: A Story in Two VoicesOliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
General
The Last of the Mortimers: A Story in Two Voices
Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
Fiction
Here Harry’s voice sounded from below, calling me, and I left Lizzie
somewhat amused by her cautious and prudent answer, and not a little
curious to see that the Italian was interested about the old lady as
well as she about him. I found Harry quite full of the same story. Mr.
Luigi had questioned him with great caution about Miss Mortimer, and of
course had heard the entire story from Harry of our relationship, and
how we found each other out. He had received it very quietly, without
expressing any feeling at all, and had asked some very close questions
about her and about the Park, and her other sister. Harry could not make
him out. Of course neither of us knew the other sister. Evidently it was
a mysterious business somehow. But as we knew nothing whatever about it,
we soon came to an end of our speculations. The morning, perhaps, as
Aunt Milly thought, would clear it all up.
CHAPTER II.
The morning came, and a very lovely morning it was, as bright and almost
as warm as summer, one of those glimpses of real spring which come to us
only by days at a time. Aunt Milly came almost before we had finished
breakfast. I dare say she is accustomed to early hours; but it was
evidently strong anxiety and excitement that had brought her out so soon
to-day. I had told Lizzie she was coming, and Lizzie, either with some
perception of the real nature of her visit, which I could not in any way
account for, or with natural Scotch jealousy and reluctance to satisfy
the curiosity of strangers as to our relationship, kept on the watch
after she had given baby into my charge, and got her triumphantly into
the house without any intervention on the part of Domenico. Aunt Milly
sank into a chair, very breathless and agitated. It was some time before
she could even notice little Harry. To see her so made me more and more
aware how serious this business, whatever it was, must be.
“But I am too early, I suppose?” she said with a little gasp.
Harry thought it was rather too early, unless he were to tell Mr. Luigi
plainly what he was wanted for, which she would not permit him to do. It
was a very uncomfortable interval. She sat silent, evidently with her
whole mind bent upon the approaching interview. We, neither knowing the
subject of it, nor what her anxiety was, had nothing to say, and I was
very glad when Harry went downstairs to find the Italian. Then Aunt
Milly made a hurried communication to me when we were alone, which
certainly did not explain anything, but which still she evidently felt
to be taking me into her confidence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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