|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 3
"'I think it is Sir Roger.'
"It is a minor satisfaction to me to reflect that, for once in my life,
I was right. I did talk to Mr. George Manners. The first thing I said
was--
"'I am very much obliged to you for picking up my fan.' To which he
replied (if it can be called a reply)--
"'I wish I had known sooner that you were Miss Lascelles' sister.'
"I said, 'Did you not see her with me on the stairs?' and he answered--
"'I saw no one but you.'
"Which, as it is the nearest approach to a pretty speech that ever was
made to me, I confide solemnly to this my fine new diary, which is to be
my dearest friend and confidante this year. Why the music went so fast,
and the dance was so short on this particular occasion, I never could
fathom; both had just ceased, and we were still chatting, when midnight
struck, deep-toned or shrill, from all the clocks in the house; and, in
the involuntary impressive pause, we could hear through the open window
the muffled echo from the village church. Then Mr. Topham ran in with a
huge loving-cup, and, drinking all our good healths, it was passed
through the company.
"When the servant brought it to me, Mr. Manners took it from him, and
held it for me himself by both handles, saying--
"'It is too heavy for your hands;' and I drank, he quoting in jest from
_Hamlet_--
"'Nymph, in thine orisons be all my sins remembered.'
"Then he said, '_I_ shall wish in silence,' and paused a full minute
before putting it to his lips. When the servant had taken it away, he
heaved so profound a sigh that (we then being very friendly) I said--
"'What is the matter?'
"'Do you believe in presentiments, Miss Lascelles?' he said.
"'I don't think I ever had a presentiment,' I answered.
"'Don't think me a fool,' he said, 'but I have had the most intense
dread of the coming of this year. I have a presentiment (for which there
is no reason) that it will bring me a huge, overwhelming misfortune: and
yet I have just wished for a blessing of which I am vastly unworthy, but
which, if it does come, will probably come this year, and which would
make it the brightest one that I have ever seen. Be a prophet, Miss
Lascelles, and tell me--which will it be?--the joy or the sorrow?'
"He gazed so intently that I had some difficulty in answering with
composure--
"'Perhaps both. We are taught to believe that life is chequered.'
"'See,' he went on. 'This is the beginning of the year. We are standing
here safe and happy. Miss Lascelles, where shall we be when the year
ends?'
"The question seemed to me faithless in a Christian, and puerile in a
brave man: I did not say so; but my face may have expressed it, for he
changed the subject suddenly, and could not be induced to return to it.
I danced twice with him afterwards; and when we parted I said,
emphatically--
"'A happy new year to you, Mr. Manners.'
"He forced a smile as he answered, 'Amen!'
"Mrs. Dallas (who kindly chaperoned us) slept all the way home; and Miss
Dallas and Harriet chatted about their partners. Once only they appealed
to me. What first drew my attention was Mr. Manners' name.
"'Poor Mr. Manners!' Harriet said; 'I am afraid I was very rude to him.
He had to console himself with you, eh, Dolly?--on the principle of love
me love my dog, I suppose?'
"Am I so conceited that this had never struck me? And yet--but here
comes Harriet, and I must put you away, dear diary. I blush at my
voluminousness. If every evening is to take up so many pages, my book
will be full at Midsummer! But was not this a red-letter day?"
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|