"
"Very well, sir. I can repay you in a way that will be satisfactory
to my mind and be more advantageous to you. Hartly, tell the officer
in command to permit no depredations. Ladies, your servant," and the
general dropped into a chair as if weary.
Some of the younger officers promptly sought to play the agreeable
to Mrs. Whately and her niece, and upon the latter all eyes rested
in undisguised admiration. Cold and shy as she had appeared, she had
not failed to note the fact. The woman was sufficiently developed
within her for this, and the quick, unanimous verdict of these
strangers and enemies in regard to herself which she read in their
eyes came with almost the force of a revelation. For the first time,
she truly became conscious of her beauty and its power. More than
ever, she exulted in her escape and freedom, thinking, "What a poor
figure is Cousin Mad beside these men whose faces are so full of
intelligence!"
Mrs. Whately was the perfection of dignified courtesy, but quickly
excused herself and niece on the plea of hastening preparations.
Pages:
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284