Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt:... CHAPTER XII. "Shall he for whose applause I strove, I had such reverence for his blame, See with clear eye some lessened shame, And I be lessen'd in his love?" TENNYSON. A Few days after the concert at Desborough Abbey, Mrs. Calthorpe called at the Arches to learn all particulars. Mary gave her some amusing descriptions, but still affirmed that she was wrong in not being there. "No, no;" Mrs. Calthorpe said firmly, "I have acted according to my deliberate opinion. and therefore feel justified. But," she added, "you have not yet told me how you liked my brother." Mary opened her eyes. "Your brother! Dear Mrs. Calthorpe, he surely was not there?" Mrs. Calthorpe, in her turn, looked mystified, as she said: "Why he told me that Lord Maldyn, with whom he is staying, presented him to you: --and added, moreover, that you more than fulfilled all the pretty things he has heard of you." Mary still looked incredulous; saying that the gentleman to whom Lord Maldyn had introduced her, was some one of title. "Exactly, my dear;" Mrs. Calthorpe said. "Willie has just been to Windsor by the King's command, where he has received the honour of being made a Knight of the Guelphic order." Mary blushed scarlet. She now felt certain that the dignified stranger--the starched "Sir William"--must have been the Willie of whom she had heard so much--the diplomatic brother of Mrs. Calthorpe! He was the man of all others, to whom she would have least liked to have shown the deference and attention which she had done; seeing that, in consequence of his large estate and beautiful mansion, he was accounted a marvellous good match in the country; and also that Mrs. Calthorpe had at divers times, hinted the satisfaction it would yield her to see him united to herself....