The Manoeuvring Mother (vol. 2 of 3)Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady
General
The Manoeuvring Mother (vol. 2 of 3)
Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady
English fiction -- 19th century
Isabel took Mr. Boscawen's arm when she left the carriage, and clung
to it with an involuntary movement of delight: her husband perceived
the expression of her eyes, as the warm pressure of her hand turned his
looks towards her, and that expression agitated his feelings. He forgot
Miss Boscawen, his long companion and housekeeper at Brierly--he forgot
the sister who had borne with him the dull routine of twenty years in
almost positive seclusion, to enjoy a new and delightful emotion in
the certainty of having at last won his young wife's heart. That one
absorbing pleasure, so novel, and so delicious, caused Mr. Boscawen to
forget the existence of Miss Boscawen and Christobelle, who stood ready
to receive his attentions upon Isabel's alighting. He had flown with
Isabel up stairs, followed by the nurse and her young charge, and Miss
Boscawen's transit took place under the superintendence of the waiter,
but, on her part, in profound silence. It was evident a severe blow had
been inflicted upon her heart or vanity, by this unexpected movement.
When they entered the apartment destined to their use, Mr. Boscawen
was still offering all his cares and attentions to Isabel. She was
arranged most comfortably on the sofa with the assiduity of a lover.
It was not Mr. Boscawen watching over the proprieties of an estranged
pupil--it was a husband attending to the comfort of a beloved wife.
Christobelle rejoiced in the scene which gave to her view Isabel happy
and unreserved in the presence of Mr. Boscawen. She rejoiced to think
her sister was loving him as _she_ had always loved him--that her
studies must in future be as pleasing to her sister, as they had ever
appeared to _herself_--that they should now enjoy the dressing-room
together, as sincerely as she had formerly abhorred it. Christobelle's
countenance betrayed the thoughts of her heart, for Isabel gave her a
smiling glance as she gazed upon her; and the annoyances of the journey
faded away in the contemplation of her happy, contented position, as
she still held Mr. Boscawen's hand, while the babe lay sleeping in her
lap.
Miss Boscawen made no remark, by word or look, upon the past and
present: her head was thrown more back, and a look of injured innocence
pervaded her form and movements; but not a syllable fell from her lips,
as she moved in silent dignity to the table, and seated herself to her
employments for the day. Neither Isabel nor Mr. Boscawen yet perceived
their sister's wounded feelings: they were both watching their child,
and enjoying their newly-awakened interest in each other, by disjointed
chat on the part of Isabel, and in little, rather awkward, fond
civilities on that of Mr. Boscawen. Isabel, too, had gained another
step in intimacy and unreserve: she now addressed her husband as "dear
Boscawen," which evidently gave intense satisfaction to its object.
"I shall walk round the Castle Hill with my baby when he wakes, dear
Boscawen."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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