Milly Darrell and Other Tales by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
page 27 of 143 (18%)
page 27 of 143 (18%)
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seemed remarkably fond of his daughter; and I have never seen a
prettier picture than she made as she stood beside him, clinging to his arm, and looking lovingly up at him with her dark hazel eyes. He asked me where I was to spend my holidays; and on hearing that I was to stay at Albury Lodge, asked whether I would like to come to Thornleigh with Milly for the midsummer vacation. My darling clapped her hands gaily as he made this offer, and cried: 'O yes, Mary, you will come, won't you?--You dear kind papa, that is just like you, always able to guess what one wishes. There is nothing in the world I should like better than to have Mary at Thornleigh.' 'Then you have only to pack a box with all possible expedition, and to come away with us, Miss Crofton,' said Mr. Darrell; 'the train starts in an hour and a half. I can only give you an hour.' I thanked him as well as I could--awkwardly enough, I daresay--for his kindness, and ran away to ask Miss Bagshot's consent to the visit. This she gave readily, in spite of some objections suggested by Miss Susan, and I had nothing more to do than to pack my few dresses--my two coloured muslins, a white dress for festive occasions, a black- silk dress which was preƫminently my 'best,' and some print morning- dresses--wondering as I packed them how these things would pass current among the grandeurs of Thornleigh. All this was finished well within the hour, and I put my bonnet and shawl, and ran down-- flushed with hurry and excitement, and very happy--to join my friends in the drawing-room. |
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