Ernest Maltravers — Volume 08 by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
page 50 of 72 (69%)
page 50 of 72 (69%)
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And there, by the window, stood that beautiful child, glowing with health and mirth--her light hair tossed from her forehead, her sweet mouth dimpled with smiles. "My darling, go on the lawn,--don't over-exert yourself--you have not quite recovered that horrid sprain--I will join you immediately--bless you!" "Don't be long, papa--nobody plays so nicely as you do;" and, nodding and laughing from very glee, away scampered the young fairy. Lord Vargrave turned to his wife. "What think you of my nephew--of Lumley?" said he, abruptly. "He seems all that is amiable, frank, and kind." Lord Vargrave's brow became thoughtful. "I think so too," he said, after a, short pause; "and I hope you will approve of what I mean to do. You see Lumley was brought up to regard himself as my heir--I owe something to him, beyond the poor estate which goes with, but never can adequately support, /my/ title. Family honours, hereditary rank, must be properly regarded. But that dear girl--I shall leave her the bulk of my fortune. Could we not unite the fortune and the title? It would secure the rank to her, it would incorporate all my desires--all my duties." "But," said Lady Vargrave, with evident surprise, "if I understand you rightly, the disparity of years--" |
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