The Amazing Marriage — Volume 3 by George Meredith
page 63 of 105 (60%)
page 63 of 105 (60%)
|
Waytes checked a bend of his shoulders. He had not a word, and he turned to send the note. He was compelled to think that he saw a well-grown young woman in the Whitechapel Countess. Gower's note reached Henrietta on her descent to the breakfast-table. She was, alone, and thrown into a torture of perplexity: for she wanted advice as to the advice to be given to Janey, and Livia was an utterly unprofitable person to consult in the case. She thought of Lady Arpington, not many doors distant. Drinking one hasty cup of tea, she sent for her bonnet, and hastened away to the great lady, whom she found rising from breakfast with the marquis. Lady Arpington read Gower's note. She unburdened herself: 'Oh! So it 's no longer a bachelor's household!' Henrietta heaved the biggest of sighs. 'I fear the poor dear may have made matters worse.' To which Lady Arpington said: 'Worse or better, my child!' and shrugged; for the present situation strained to snapping. She proposed to go forthwith, and give what support she could to the Countess of Fleetwood. They descended the steps of the house to the garden and the Green Park's gravel walk up to Piccadilly. There they had view of Lord Fleetwood on horseback leisurely turning out of the main way's tide. They saw him alight at the mews. As they entered the square, he was met some doors from the south corner by his good or evil genius, whose influence with |
|