Woodburn Grange: A story of English country life; vol. 2 of 3Howitt, William
General
Woodburn Grange: A story of English country life; vol. 2 of 3
Howitt, William
Religious fiction
We must not describe that sad, long, and for the most part silent
journey. About ten in the morning the coach drove into the court
of that old-fashioned, but then greatly frequented inn, the
Swan-with-Two-Necks, in Lad-lane. There they descended, washed,
redressed, and made such a breakfast as people in their state of mind
could. George sent out into Wood-street to inquire if Mr. Thorsby was
yet at the warehouse, and received for reply that he was not expected
till twelve o’clock. A coach was at once ordered, and the whole party
entered it and drove to Bond-street. It was stopped within fifty
yards of the house sought, and George and Letty descended and walked
on, followed by the nurse and child, which looked as bright as a
child of six months can after a night’s journey, through which it
had slept like a top, and in a world whose trouble does not concern
it. Arrived at the door, Letty seemed as though she would sink, but
George encouraged her to hold up and go through it in reliance on
God. The door was opened by a servant, who asked their names, and
said she would inquire if Mr. Thorsby were in. But Letty did not give
her the opportunity of bringing a “No;” she took the child in her
arms, and followed on the servant’s heels.
“You had better wait here, ma’am,” said the servant.
“Go on!” said Letty, authoritatively.
The girl looked astonished, but obeyed. Ascending the first flight of
stairs, she opened a door into a large and handsomely furnished room,
and said, “A lady, sir!”
Letty stepped in, and stood with the child on her arm. There sat the
delinquent husband, in his morning-gown and slippers, reading the
newspaper, and on the opposite side of the breakfast-table sat a very
handsome young woman, of by no means unamiable appearance. The sight
of Letty, however, produced a wondrous change. Thorsby started to his
feet, and stood as rooted to the ground. His look was that rather
of a ghost than of a living man. Pale as death, he trembled from
head to foot like an aspen leaf. His female friend stood, a monument
of terror, shame, and confusion. It was evident that she knew Mrs.
Thorsby perfectly. But Letty, with a calmness with which heaven
itself must have endowed her, advanced to Thorsby, and said, holding
up the child towards him, “My dear Henry, I am not come to reproach
you, but to reclaim you. Let this young woman retire, I would speak
to you alone.”
Thorsby made a hasty movement with his hand, and the young woman as
hastily retired, evidently glad to escape.
“My dear Henry,” said Letty, pale as marble, yet bearing up with
wonderful firmness, “this little child wants its father; your loving
and ever-faithful wife wants her husband; your poor, afflicted, and
now very sick mother, wants her son. There, take your child, embrace
it, love it, and come home with us.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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