The Rake's Progress

ped her chair a

said softly, and beck

voice was lost on the gay summer air (already so laden with

were reproachful as

little of you! Will

need to as

our. As they sauntered side by side under the lime tre

lay Statir

e smiled down at h

care?" s

at

ly red gown from Paris," s

fore him. She touched his black v

emanded, her regard fu

-ni

playing

ill come

r white skirts

e if it p

es me," smiled

es and chestnuts and lay in flakes of gold on the lake, where the white ducks swam. Long pale shadows trailed

she looked up at her companion; her wide straw hat cast half her face into the shad

g to be marri

knows it,"

ances Beale. "Well, I

e on her that che

, my dear,

from the toe of Mrs. Beale's little shoe to the tall poplars on the opposite

at the water. "The wealthy Miss Hilton. La, there

e Lyndwood. "I think, my dear, tha

o be amusing?

hat to a passi

fession," he r

ged her s

you for a year and more." Her accent was violent and slightly vulgar; she pulled tempestuously at some unhappy roses at her breast

e the poplars opposite. Lord Lyn

such a commonplace affair save this

eale l

You aren't seen

d. "And, by Gad, Fanny, I'll not have y

ce beneath the h

quickly. "Forget about it, and come t

er submission

e from the rise

d on her companion and by the reflection that half the town must have seen whom she w

na, afterwards," she said. "We so seldom see you in

e water and blowing the ends of hi

ied of late, in tr

n?" she could no

Then he laughed sweetly. "Let Statir

Her eyes glowed. "La, I

alwa

an rant upon the boards, 'tis all. When most I wish to dis

my benefit, my dear?" as

m a dark br

he sun is setting, will

y back through th

e was sud

atira, Lord Sandys sent me more yellow roses than I could wear

merest excuse, but his eyes made ame

ids d

u may send I

sig

ndon yield f

red in a low voice. Then abruptly she

e, maybe, so

evening hovered in the chilling air; overhead the sky was

he fair face of Frances Beale, and for a mome

evoir," she said, an

ast she drew up the glass and her chair was borne away do

h deep and pure gold and the encroaching sha

the grass, and drew a letter from his pocket, the la

Had You heard You had pitied! He is very much in Love. He does not, it seems, know he

at your Marriage and the prospect it unfolds for him. He desires you will wr

iss Hilton's lack of Pedigree, but wishes her friendship. I think she is not Eager to go to London for the Wedd

ust be Good and Sweet. Convey our duty to her;

the white Roses that are Just coming to a bloom a

nah Ch

she still in Bristol? I heard you had met her at The Wells. I would be Ob

to his pocket, and walked idly through the twi

s letter in this manner, writing with a steady hand but showin

this brief answer, for your Epistle, wh

. James's Church. Very few will be present

yndwood the beginning of August, when I shall des

Hilton; at present she is Indi

harming air, but I think she

to her Ladyship.-

ndw

Boyle since I was at the Wells. I

hat he had said, but at what lay unexpressed behind the bare sentenc