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A Lady of Quality | Frances Hodgson Burnett | |
Wherein a noble life comes to an end |
Page 7 of 9 |
She gently rose from her corner, wondering if she could retire from her retreat without attracting his observation; but as she did so, chance caused him to withdraw himself a little farther within the shadow of the screen, and doing so, he beheld her. Then his face changed; the mask of noble calmness, for a moment fallen, resumed itself, and he bowed before her with the reverence of a courtly gentleman, undisturbed by the unexpectedness of his recognition of her neighbourhood. "Madam," he said, "pardon my unconsciousness that you were near me. You would pass?" And he made way for her. She curtseyed, asking his pardon with her dull, soft eyes. "Sir," she answered, "I but retired here for a moment's rest from the throng and gaiety, to which I am unaccustomed. But chiefly I sat in retirement that I might watch--my sister." "Your sister, madam?" he said, as if the questioning echo were almost involuntary, and he bowed again in some apology. "My Lady Dunstanwolde," she replied. "I take such pleasure in her loveliness and in all that pertains to her, it is a happiness to me to but look on." Whatsoever the thing was in her loving mood which touched him and found echo in his own, he was so far moved that he answered to her with something less of ceremoniousness; remembering also, in truth, that she was a lady he had heard of, and recalling her relationship and name. |
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A Lady of Quality Frances Hodgson Burnett |
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