Henrietta's Wish eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Henrietta's Wish.

Henrietta's Wish eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Henrietta's Wish.

“And their sorrow that she spoke of must have been his death,” said Henrietta.  “No doubt the going over those old times renewed all those thoughts.”

“And you think going to Knight Sutton might have the same effect.  Well, I suppose we must give it up,” said Fred, with a sigh.  “After all, we can be very happy here!”

“O yes! that we can.  It is more on your account than mine, that I wished it,” said the sister.

“And I should not have thought so much of it, if I had not thought it would be pleasanter for you when I am away,” said Fred.

“And so,” said Henrietta, laughing yet sighing, “we agree to persuade each other that we don’t care about it.”

Fred performed a grimace, and remarked that if Henrietta continued to make her tea so scalding, there would soon be a verdict against her of fratricide; but the observation, being intended to conceal certain feelings of disappointment and heroism, only led to silence.

After sleeping for some hours, Mrs. Langford awoke refreshed, and got up, but did not leave her room.  Frederick and Henrietta went to take a walk by her desire, as she declared that she preferred being alone, and on their return they found her lying on the sofa.

“Mamma has been in mischief,” said Fred.  “She did not think herself knocked up enough already, so she has been doing it more thoroughly.”

“Oh, mamma!” was Henrietta’s reproachful exclamation, as she looked at her pale face and red swollen eyelids.

“Never mind, my dears,” said she, trying to smile, “I shall be better now this is done, and I have it off my mind.”  They looked at her in anxious interrogation, and she smiled outright with lip and eye.  “You will seal that letter with a good will, Henrietta,” she said.  “It is to ask Uncle Geoffrey to make inquiries about the Pleasance.”

“Mamma!” and they stood transfixed at a decision beyond their hopes:  then Henrietta exclaimed—­

“No, no, mamma, it will be too much for you; you must not think of it.”

“Yes,” said Fred; “indeed we agreed this morning that it would be better not.  Put it out of your head, mamma, and go on here in peace and comfort.  I am sure it suits you best.”

“Thank you, thank you, my dear ones,” said she, drawing them towards her, and fondly kissing them, “but it is all settled, and I am sure it is better for you.  It is but a dull life for you here.”

“O no, no, no, dearest mamma:  nothing can be dull with you,” cried Henrietta, wishing most sincerely to undo her own work.  “We are, indeed we are, as happy as the day is long.  Do not fancy we are discontented; do not think we want a change.”

Mrs. Langford replied by an arch though subdued smile.

“But we would not have you to do it on our account,” said Fred.  “Pray put it out of your head, for we do very well here, and it was only a passing fancy.”

“You will not talk me out of it, my dears,” said Mrs. Langford.  “I know it is right, and it shall be done.  It is only the making up my mind that was the struggle, and I shall look forward to it as much as either of you, when I know it is to be done.  Now walk off, my dears, and do not let that letter be too late for the post.”

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Henrietta's Wish from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.