When the Birds Begin to SingGraham, Winifred (Matilda Winifred Muriel)
General
When the Birds Begin to Sing
Graham, Winifred (Matilda Winifred Muriel)
English fiction -- 19th century
"I have never been to the celebrated Savoy before," she says. "Reggie
declares it is a place where ladies go without their husbands when they
want to be rakish and lively. It looks as if he were right, for I am
certainly without my better half this evening. When I look at you and
Nelson, and then think of Reggie and myself, I cannot imagine how it is
all wives and husbands don't get on. I believe I have done a lot of
harm since my wedding by advising everybody to marry, and throwing
susceptible young people together in the most reckless manner."
"We have not given it a very long test," says Erminie, "but look at
that startling beauty in yellow," changing the subject out of
consideration for Philip.
"Oh! she is the leader of one of the fastest sets in town," Nelson
vouchsafes, as Lady MacDonald, a mass of flashing diamonds and old gold
brocade, enters into the restaurant.
The place sends Philip's flagging spirits down to zero, he is thankful
to get home, and paces his room half that night thinking of Eleanor,
and longing for the love of dear departed days.
"Perhaps when she comes back from Copthorne it will be different," he
thinks. "I have been away too much in that miserable City, she has
been dull, and thus fallen a prey to Mrs. Mounteagle's bad influence."
He will give her more companions, keep his house full of guests,
pleasant accommodating people who will not object to early breakfast,
and dinner that invariably waits half-an-hour later than it should on
account of his business.
He writes to Eleanor as the clock strikes two. His letter is full of
promises for the future.
He paints a picture of delightful plans. They will have the house full
until Easter, when he will take her abroad. She shall go wherever she
pleases, and he will be her trusting, adoring slave. He will make it
impossible for her not to love him.
For nearly an hour he pores over the sheet, telling Eleanor these good
resolves.
"Dearest," he says in conclusion, "can't we begin our lives over
again--love as we did in quiet Copthorne--before we drifted apart? I
will try and be a better husband. Do come back to me soon, for I find
I cannot get on without my little Eleanor. She is all the world to me."
Then he seals the envelope, and falls into a restless sleep, which is
broken by haunting dreams of dimly suspected terrors.
Early in the morning Philip wakes, unrefreshed and heartsick. Still
the question burns on his brain--Why has Eleanor not written?
He rises before the household is astir, and lets himself out into the
mild air.
Hailing a hansom, he tells the man to drive him as quickly as possible
to Richmond Terrace. Perhaps Erminie is right, and Eleanor has written
to Lyndhurst after all.
Sarah starts as she sees Mr. Roche on the doorstep.
"Good-morning," he says, "are there any letters for me?"
He does not wait for the answer, but walks straight in, and takes up a
pile of envelopes on the hall table.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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