What changes time had brought! When Molly arrived at the Towers she was convoyed into Lady Cumnor's presence by Lady Harriet.It was a mark of respect to the lady of the house, which the latter knew that her mother would expect; but she was anxious to get it over, and take Molly up into the room which she had been so busy in arranging for her.Lady Cumnor was, however, very kind, if not positively gracious.'You are Lady Harriet's visitor, my dear,' said she, 'and I hope she will take good care of you.If not, come and complain of her to me.' It was as near an approach to a joke as Lady Cumnor ever perpetrated, and from it Lady Harriet knew that her mother was pleased by Molly's manners and appearance.'Now, here you are in your own kingdom; and into this room I shan't venture to come without express permission.Here is the last new Quarterly , and the last new novel, and the last new essays.Now, my dear, you need not come down again to-day unless you like it.Parkes shall bring you everything and anything you want.You must get strong as fast, as you can, for all sorts of great and famous people are coming to-morrow and the next day, and I think you'll like to see them.Suppose for to-day you only come down to lunch, and if you like it, in the evening.Dinner is such a wearily long meal, if one is not strong; and you would not miss much, for there is only my cousin Charles in the house now, and he is the personification of sensible silence.' Molly was only too glad to allow Lady Harriet to decide everything for her.It had begun to rain, and was, altogether, a gloomy day for August;and there was a small fire of scented wood burning cheerfully in the sitting-room appropriated to her.High up, it commanded a wide and pleasant view over the park, and from it could be seen the spire of Hollingford Church, which gave Molly a pleasant idea of neighbourhood to home.She was left alone, lying on the sofa - books near her, wood crackling and blazing, wafts of wind bringing the beating rain against the window, and so enhancing the sense of indoor comfort by the outdoor contrast.Parkes was unpacking for her.Lady Harriet had introduced Parkes to Molly by saying, 'Now, Molly, this is Mrs Parkes, the only person I ever am afraid of.She scolds me if I dirty myself with my paints, just as if I was a little child; and she makes me go to bed when I want to sit up,' - Parkes was smiling grimly all the time; - 'so to get rid of her tyranny I give her you as victim.
第282章 BRIDAL VISITS AND ADIEUX (5)（1 / 3）