Night and Morning, Volume 5 by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
page 44 of 176 (25%)
page 44 of 176 (25%)
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"Happy, Fanny! yes, lately very happy--too happy!" "Happy, have you? and I--" the girl stopped short--her tone had been that of sadness and reproach, and she stopped--why, she knew not, but she felt her heart sink within her. Fanny suffered him to pass her, and he went straight to his room. Her eyes followed him wistfully: it was not his habit to leave her thus abruptly. The family meal of the day was over; and it was an hour before Vaudemont descended to the parlour. Fanny had put aside the songs; she had no heart to recommence those gentle studies that had been so sweet,--they had drawn no pleasure, no praise from him. She was seated idly and listlessly beside the silent old man, who every day grew more and more silent still. She turned her head as Vaudemont entered, and her pretty lip pouted as that of a neglected child. But he did not heed it, and the pout vanished, and tears rushed to her eyes. Vaudemont was changed. His countenance was thoughtful and overcast. His manner abstracted. He addressed a few words to Simon, and then, seating himself by the window, leant his cheek on his hand, and was soon lost in reverie. Fanny, finding that he did not speak, and after stealing many a long and earnest glance at his motionless attitude and gloomy brow, rose gently, and gliding to him with her light step, said, in a trembling voice,-- "Are you in pain, brother?" "No, pretty one!" "Then why won't you speak to Fanny? Will you not walk with her? Perhaps |
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