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. 1890 edition. Excerpt:...was a little surprised by Winton's broken ecstasies, by her mother's tremulous kiss of approval. "Is there anything left for me to decide?" she said. Nobody knew very well what was said or done in the agitated half-hour that remained. It was agreed between them that "the details," of which Lady ane had spoken with a blush, should be arranged afterwards, when all were more cool and masters of themselves--a state to which no one of the little group attained until Winton was hurrying along the country roads towards the station, and Lady ane and her mother were seated in forlorn quiet alone in that little room which for the last week had been the scene of so many excitements. The Duchess rose with a start when the little French clock on the mantelpiece chimed one. "My dearest," she said, "we have many things to do which look like falsehood, we women. You and I must appear at luncheon as if nothing had happened. There must be no red eyes, my love, no abstraction. It will be all over the world in no time, if we do not take care. For myself, alas! I am used to it; but you, ane----" Lady ane did not immediately reply. She said, "There is one thing, mamma, to which I have made up my mind-----" The Duchess was examining herself in the glass to see if she was pale or red, or anything different from her ordinary aspect. She turned round to hear what this new determination was. "I will speak to my father myself," Lady ane Said. If a cannon had been discharged into the peaceful little boudoir the effect could scarcely have been greater. "You will speak to your father, ane? There are some things I know better than you. It will wound you, my darling--for no...