Clergy -- Fiction; Great Britain -- Fiction; Religious fiction
"Rosalind, will you take wine with me?--You look tired and pale." This
was said in a tone of affectionate interest that seemed to excite the
attention of Henrietta; and when Miss Torrington raised her eyes to
answer it, she observed that young lady's looks fixed on Mr. Mowbray's
countenance with an expression that denoted curiosity.
The whole party seemed glad to escape from the dinner-table; and the
young ladies, with light shawls and parasols, had just wandered out upon
the lawn, when they met Mr. Cartwright approaching the house.
Fanny coloured, and looked at her brother. Miss Cartwright coloured too;
and her eyes followed the direction of Fanny's, as if to see how this
familiar mode of approach was approved by Mr. Mowbray.
Charles certainly felt a little surprised, and did not take much pains
to conceal it. For a moment he looked at the vicar, as if not quite
certain who it was, and then, touching his hat with ceremonious
politeness, said, haughtily enough, "Mr. Cartwright, I believe?"
It would have been difficult for any one to find fault with the manner
in which this salutation was returned. In a tone admirably modulated
between profound respect and friendly kindness, his hat raised
gracefully from his head to greet the whole party, and his handsome
features wearing an expression of the gentlest benevolence, Mr.
Cartwright hoped that he had the happiness of seeing Mr. Mowbray well.
Charles felt more than half ashamed of the reception he had given him,
and stretched out his hand as if to atone for it. The vicar felt his
advantage, and pursued it by the most easy, winning, yet respectful
style of conversation. His language and manners became completely those
of an accomplished man of the world; his topics were drawn from the
day's paper and the last review: he ventured a jest upon Don Carlos, and
a _bon mot_ upon the Duke of Wellington; took little or no notice of
Fanny; spoke affectionately to his daughter, and gaily to Miss
Torrington; and, in short, appeared to be as little deserving of all
Rosalind had said of him, as it was well possible for a gentleman to
be.
"Fair Rosalind has certainly suffered her imagination to conjure up a
bugbear in this man," thought Charles. "It is impossible he can be the
violent fanatic she describes."
After wandering about the gardens for some time, Fanny proposed that
they should go in to tea; but before they reached the house, Mr.
Cartwright proposed to take his leave, saying that he had an engagement
in Wrexhill, which was to prevent his lengthening his visit.
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