The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen AnneJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
History
The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen Anne
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714 -- Fiction
Lady Hastings was a very good woman, and wished to obey her husband's
injunctions to the letter, but she felt afraid of herself, and would
not trust herself with Emily alone.
Dear Emily lay awake for half an hour after she had sought her pillow,
but not more, and then she fell into a sleep as soft and calm as that
of childhood, and the next morning rose as blooming as the flower of
June. Sir Philip was up when she went down stairs, and walking on the
terrace with Marlow. Lady Hastings sent word that she would breakfast
in her own room, when she had obtained a few hours' rest, as she had
not slept all night. Thus Emily had to attend to the breakfast-table
in her mother's place; but in those days the lady's functions at the
morning meal were not so various and important as at present; and the
breakfast passed lightly and pleasantly. Still there was no mention of
the business which had caused Emily to be summoned so suddenly, and
when the breakfast was over, Sir Philip retired to his library,
without asking Emily to follow, and merely saying, "You had better not
disturb your mother, my dear child. If you take a walk I will join you
ere long."
For the first time, a doubt, a notion--for I must not call it a
suspicion--came across the mind of Emily, that the business for which
she had been sent might have something to do with Mr. Marlow. How her
little heart beat! She sat quite still for a minute or two, for she
did not know, if she rose, what would become of her.
At length the voice of Marlow roused her from her gently-troubled
reverie, as he said. "Will you not come out to take a walk?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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