Wives and Widows; or, The Broken LifeStephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
General
Wives and Widows; or, The Broken Life
Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
Fiction
Jessie smiled softly, and turned a bright glance on my face, which said,
more plainly than Mrs. Dennison's words, "I, too, have had a heavenly
day, which will go with my dreams into many another day, making an Eden
of them all."
CHAPTER XXIII.
AN OUTBREAK OF JEALOUSY.
In a few moments Mrs. Dennison came out of her chamber, still in her
riding-habit. She was pale as death, her eyes gleamed, and her lips
quivered. She dashed into the balcony, and laid her hand on Jessie's
shoulder with such rude suddenness, that the young girl drew back with
an impulse of surprise.
"What is the matter, Mrs. Dennison?"
Mrs. Dennison looked at her a moment, subdued the quivering of her lips
with a great effort, and broke into a laugh so hoarse and constrained
that Jessie shrunk back.
"What is the matter?" she said. "Why, nothing; only we have but just
time to dress for dinner, and here you stand as if the whole world could
wait."
I could see that her frame was trembling from head to foot. The color
would not come back to her face. With all her powers, she was but a
woman, and a jealous woman at the best. From that moment I felt very
sure that Cora had performed her mission promptly. Jessie could not
understand it, but stood looking at her guest in blank amazement.
"You have ridden too far," she said, coldly, "and the fatigue has shaken
your nerves, I fear. Shall I send for a glass of wine? it will be some
time before dinner."
"Wine? no; but--but I will take a glass of water, if you please, Miss
Hyde."
Jessie seemed anxious to get away, for she started before I could
anticipate her to order the water, and I was left alone with Mrs.
Dennison. Her self-command was giving way again. She sat down, and,
covering her face with both hands, shook from head to foot; but she did
not weep. Something too hard and fiery for tears possessed her.
"Yes," she said at last, "Miss Lee is right! These long rides do shake
one's nerves terribly!"
Directly Jessie came bringing a glass of water. With her usual delicacy,
she would not intrust the duty to a servant, who might witness her
friend's discomposure and comment upon it.
Mrs. Dennison held the water a moment, regarding Jessie with gleaming
eyes, as if she longed to dash the contents in her face; but the insane
fit went off. She drank the water, and arose to leave the balcony.
"I am not usually nervous, but this ride has completely upset me."
With these words she left the balcony and went back to her room.
"She is very ill, I am sure, Aunt Matty," said Jessie, full of gentle
sympathy; "pray go and see if nothing more can be done?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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