" He was so tiresome and did
bother so! Now I shall have my swing! Oh, what fun! I won't let
him worry me again just yet, I can tell him!"
"You don't seem to consider," began Sydney,-—but Mrs. Gould took this
moment for advancing.
>From the whole length of the large drawing-room the trio had been
spectators, not quite auditors, though perhaps enough to perceive
what line the Evelyns were taking.
So Mrs. Gould advanced into the drawing-room; Mrs. Evelyn came
forward to assume the duties of hostess; and Sydney turned and ran
away so precipitately that she shut the door on the trailing skirt of
her habit and had to open it again to release herself.
Mr. Wakefield hoped the young ladies would pardon him for having
spoilt their ride, and Elvira was going off to change her dress,
when, to his dismay, Mrs. Evelyn desired her to take her aunt to her
room to prepare for luncheon. He had seen enough of Mrs. Gould to
know that this was a most unlucky measure of courtesy on good simple
Mrs. Evelyn's part, but of course he could do nothing to prevent it,
and had to remain with Mr. Gould, both speaking in the strongest
manner of Mrs. Brownlow's uprightness and bravery in meeting this
sudden change. Mr. Wakefield said he hoped to prevail on her to
retain the charge of the young lady for the present, and Mr.
Pages:
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586