Malbone: an Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
page 24 of 186 (12%)
page 24 of 186 (12%)
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countenances might be roused to life, in case some horse should
run away. But that one chance never occurs; the riders may not yet be toned down into perfect breeding, but the horses are. I do not know what could ever break the gloom of this joyless procession, were it not that youth and beauty are always in fashion, and one sometimes meets an exceptional barouche full of boys and girls, who could absolutely be no happier if they were a thousand miles away from the best society. And such a joyous company were our four youths and maidens when they went to drive that day, Emilia being left at home to rest after the fatigues of the voyage. "What beautiful horses!" was Hope's first exclamation. "What grave people!" was her second. "What though in solemn silence all Roll round --" quoted Philip. "Hope is thinking," said Harry, "whether 'in reason's ear they all rejoice.'" "How COULD you know that?" said she, opening her eyes. "One thing always strikes me," said Kate. "The sentence of stupefaction does not seem to be enforced till after five-and-twenty. That young lady we just met looked quite lively and juvenile last year, I remember, and now she has graduated into a dowager." |
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