The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax by [pseud.] Holme Lee
page 33 of 528 (06%)
page 33 of 528 (06%)
|
warm acknowledgments.
"Her ladyship is bountiful as usual--for a consideration," said Mr. Phipps, emitting a long suppressed groan of weariness, when her gracious good-evening released them. Mr. Phipps revolted against my lady's yoke, the others wore it with grace. Admiral Parkins said Beechhurst would be in a poor way without her. Mr. Musgrave looked at his watch, and avowed the same opinion. Mr. Carnegie said nothing. He knew so much good of Lady Latimer that he had an almost unlimited indulgence for her. It was his disposition, indeed, to be indulgent to women, to give them all the homage and sympathy they require. Mr. Phipps and Mr. Carnegie quitted the rectory-garden, and crossed the road to the doctor's house in company. Bessie Fairfax, worn out with the emotions and fatigues of the day, had left the children to their mother and stout Irish nurse, and had collapsed into her father's great chair in the parlor. She sprang up as the gentlemen entered, and was about to run away, when Mr. Phipps spread out his arms to arrest her flight. "Well, Cinderella, the pumpkin-coach has not come yet to fetch you away?" said he. The application of the parable of Cinderella to her case was Mr. Phipps's favorite joke against Bessie Fairfax. "No, but it is on the road. I hear the roll of the wheels and the crack of Raton's whip," said she with a prodigious sigh. "So it is, Phipps--that's true! We are going to lose our Bessie," said Mr. Carnegie, drawing her upon his knee as he sat down. "Poor little tomboy! A nice name Mrs. Wiley has fitted her with! And she |
|