Her virtues lay in no resistant force of
character, but in a natural inappetency for evil things, which to
her were as unmeaning as joints of flesh to a herbivorous creature.
Her charms of person, manner, and mind, had been clear for some time
to the Antinous in orders, and no less so to the Duke, who, though
scandalously ignorant of dainty phrases, ever showing a clumsy
manner towards the gentler sex, and, in short, not at all a lady's
man, took fire to a degree that was wellnigh terrible at sudden
sight of Emmeline, a short time after she was turned seventeen.
It occurred one afternoon at the corner of a shrubbery between the
castle and the rectory, where the Duke was standing to watch the
heaving of a mole, when the fair girl brushed past at a distance of
a few yards, in the full light of the sun, and without hat or
bonnet. The Duke went home like a man who had seen a spirit. He
ascended to the picture-gallery of his castle, and there passed some
time in staring at the bygone beauties of his line as if he had
never before considered what an important part those specimens of
womankind had played in the evolution of the Saxelbye race. He
dined alone, drank rather freely, and declared to himself that
Emmeline Oldbourne must be his.
Meanwhile there had unfortunately arisen between the curate and this
girl some sweet and secret understanding. Particulars of the
attachment remained unknown then and always, but it was plainly not
approved of by her father.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229