She had
imagined that Lady Eversleigh would be eager to leave a place in which
she found herself the object of disapprobation and contempt.
"If I were her, I would go to France, and be a great lady in Paris--
which is twenty times gayer and more delightful than any place in
stupid, straight-laced old England," thought Jane Payland. "If I had
her money, I would spend it, and enjoy life, in spite of all the
world."
"I'm afraid your health will suffer from a long residence at the
castle, my lady," said Jane, presently, determined to do all in her
power to bring about a change in her mistress's plans. "After such a
shock as you have had, some distraction must be necessary. When I had
the honour of living with the Duchess of Mountaintour, and we lost the
dear duke, the first thing I said to the duchess, after the funeral,
was--'Change of scene, your grace, change of scene; nothing like change
of scene when the mind has received a sudden blow.' The sweet duchess's
physician actually echoed my words, though he had never heard them; and
within a week of the sad ceremony we started for the Continent, where
we remained a year; at the end of which period the dear duchess was
united to the Marquis of Purpeltown."
"The duchess was speedily consoled," replied Lady Eversleigh, with a
smile which was not without bitterness. "No doubt the variety and
excitement of a Continental tour did much towards blotting out all
memory of her dead husband.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300