Venetia eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 593 pages of information about Venetia.

Venetia eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 593 pages of information about Venetia.

‘So shall I, my lady,’ said Mistress Pauncefort; ’but I dare say we shall hardly know him again, he must be so grown.  Trimmer has been over to the abbey, my lady, and saw my lord’s valet.  Quite the fine gentleman, Trimmer says.  I was thinking of walking over myself this afternoon, to see poor Mrs. Quin, my lady; I dare say we might be of use, and neighbours should be handy, as they say.  She is a very respectable woman, poor Mrs. Quin, and I am sure for my part, if your ladyship has no objection, I should be very glad to be of service to her.’

’I have of course no objection, Pauncefort, to your being of service to the housekeeper, but has she required your assistance?’

’Why no, my lady, but poor Mrs. Quin would hardly like to ask for anything, my lady; but I am sure we might be of very great use, for my lord’s gentleman seems very dissatisfied at his reception, Trimmer says.  He has his hot breakfast every morning, my lady, and poor Mrs. Quin says—­’

‘Well, Pauncefort, that will do,’ said Lady Annabel, and the functionary disappeared.

‘We have almost forgotten Plantagenet, Venetia,’ added Lady Annabel, addressing herself to her daughter.

‘He has forgotten us, I think, mamma,’ said Venetia.

END OF BOOK II

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.

Five years had elapsed since Lord Cadurcis had quitted the seat of his fathers, nor did the fair inhabitants of Cherbury hear of his return without emotion.  Although the intercourse between them during this interval had from the first been too slightly maintained, and of late years had entirely died off, his return was, nevertheless, an event which recalled old times and revived old associations.  His visit to the hall was looked forward to with interest.  He did not long keep his former friends in suspense; for although he was not uninfluenced by some degree of embarrassment from the consciousness of neglect on his side, rendered more keen now that he again found himself in the scene endeared by the remembrance of their kindness, he was, nevertheless, both too well bred and too warm-hearted to procrastinate the performance of a duty which the regulations of society and natural impulse alike assured him was indispensable.  On the very morning, therefore, after his arrival, having sauntered awhile over the old abbey and strolled over the park, mused over his mother’s tomb with emotion, not the less deep because there was no outward and visible sign of its influence, he ordered his horses, and directed his way through the accustomed woods to Cherbury.

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Venetia from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.