| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
"
"
Will you take Mrs. Inglethorp her coffee, Cynthia? I will pour it out."
Do not trouble, Mary," said Inglethorp. "I will take it to Emily." He poured it
out, and went out of the room carrying it carefully.
Lawrence followed him, and Mrs. Cavendish sat down by us.
We three sat for some time in silence. It was a glorious night, hot and still.
Mrs. Cavendish fanned herself gently with a palm leaf.
"It's almost too hot," she murmured. "We shall have a thunderstorm."
Alas, that these harmonious moments can never endure! My paradise was
rudely shattered by the sound of a well known, and heartily disliked, voice
in the hall.
"
Dr. Bauerstein!" exclaimed Cynthia. "What a funny time to come."
I glanced jealously at Mary Cavendish, but she seemed quite undisturbed,
the delicate pallor of her cheeks did not vary.
In a few moments, Alfred Inglethorp had ushered the doctor in, the latter
laughing, and protesting that he was in no fit state for a drawing-room. In
truth, he presented a sorry spectacle, being literally plastered with mud.
"
"
What have you been doing, doctor?" cried Mrs. Cavendish.
I must make my apologies," said the doctor. "I did not really mean to come
in, but Mr. Inglethorp insisted."
"
"
Well, Bauerstein, you are in a plight," said John, strolling in from the hall.
Have some coffee, and tell us what you have been up to."
"Thank you, I will." He laughed rather ruefully, as he described how he had
discovered a very rare species of fern in an inaccessible place, and in his
efforts to obtain it had lost his footing, and slipped ignominiously into a
neighbouring pond.
"The sun soon dried me off," he added, "but I'm afraid my appearance is very
disreputable."
At this juncture, Mrs. Inglethorp called to Cynthia from the hall, and the girl
2
3
Page
Quick Jump
|