Uncle Silas

ived. She was accompanied b

ed my toilet with eloquent descriptions of the youthful Captain whom she had met in the gallery, on his wa

ifference to her narration, and I know I was very nervous and painstaking about my toilet that evening. When I went down to the drawing-room, Lady Knollys was there, talking volubly to my father as I entered - a woman not really old, but such as very young

ure with something kindly in her look. She got up, quite lik

es on you since you were no longer than that paper-knife. Now come here to the lamp, for I must look at you. Who is she like? Let me see. Like your poor mother, I think, my dea

as I had seen there for a long time, shr

e better, M

dignant the little girl looks! You must not be vexed, you loyal little woman, with Cousin Monica for t

t myself! That's not

eyes, how is she to believe me? She has long, pretty ha

my father to me, tran

ed again t

, and such bright tints! You'll be in the Book of Beauty, my dear, when you come out, and have a

a. Reflected from bygone associations, there had come a glimmer of something, not gaiety, indeed, but like an appreciation of gaiety. The

ied even this transient gleam of human society. I was not a companion - more childish than most girls of my age, and trained in all his whi

led and pictured walls, and that quaint, misshapen room, seemed to have exchanged their stern and awful character for something wonderf

n of that awful and distant world of fashion, of whose splendours I had al

ever beheld, or even fancied, at Knowl - a hero of another species, and from the region of the demigods. I did not then perceive that coldness o

so very handsome, and talked in a way that was so new to me, and was so much more charming than the well

-morrow. A Lilliputian pang of disappointment followed this announcement. Already

he plainly addressed himself with diligence to amuse and please me. I dare say there was more effort than I fancied in bringing his ta

nt as habit had made him, for her frolic fluency left him little to supply. It was totally impossibl

ogether, leaving the gentlemen - rather ill-assor

tell me how you and your papa get on. I can remember him quite a cheerful man once, and rather amusing - yes, indeed - and

e are a few, better, I think in the

s bad, my dear; and

a little - prett

l, I dare say, amusement is not a frequent word in this house. But you must not turn into a nun, or wors

wedenborgian

I don't know exactly what they think, but everyone knows they are

hurch ever

ve no religion, and enjoy life while I'm in it, than choose one to worry me here and bedevil me hereafter. But some people, my dear, have a taste for being miserable, and provide, like poor Austin, for its gratification in

I and Mary Quince planned it. I thought

don fashions were always fresh, was palpably struck by it as if it had been some enormity against anatomy, for she certainly laughed very heartily; indeed there were tears

e. A council of three - you all sat upon it - Mrs. Rusk, you said, and Mary Quince, and your wise self, the weird sisters; and Austin stepped in, as Macbeth, and said, 'What is't ye do?' you all made answer together, 'A something or other without a name!' Now, seriously, my dear, it is quite unpardonable i

e, and going with me himself, if Doctor Bryerly says he may m

And who is Doctor Bryer

e. You don't think him ill - looking ill,

why is Doctor What's-his-name here? Is he a physician, or

ly don't u

'ye call 'em -

lieve

Well, go he shall, whether his doctor likes it or not, for it would not do

Rougierre."<