Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

The Christmas Books by William Makepeace Thackeray
page 22 of 291 (07%)
until now her pretty face lights up with smiles. Cannot you guess why?
Pity the simple and affectionate creature! Lord Methuselah has not
arrived until this moment: and see how the artless girl steps forward to
greet him!

In the midst of all the selfishness and turmoil of the world, how
charming it is to find virgin hearts quite unsullied, and to look on
at little romantic pictures of mutual love! Lord Methuselah, though you
know his age by the peerage--though he is old, wigged, gouty, rouged,
wicked, has lighted up a pure flame in that gentle bosom. There was a
talk about Tom Willoughby last year; and then, for a time, young Hawbuck
(Sir John Hawbuck's youngest son) seemed the favored man; but Emma never
knew her mind until she met the dear creature before you in a Rhine
steamboat. "Why are you so late, Edward?" says she. Dear artless child!

Her mother looks on with tender satisfaction. One can appreciate the
joys of such an admirable parent!

"Look at them!" says Miss Toady. "I vow and protest they're the
handsomest couple in the room!"

Methuselah's grandchildren are rather jealous and angry, and
Mademoiselle Ariane, of the French theatre, is furious. But there's no
accounting for the mercenary envy of some people; and it is impossible
to satisfy everybody.


MR. BEAUMORIS, MR. GRIG, MR. FLYNDERS.


DigitalOcean Referral Badge