Search -
Agatha Beaufort; or, Family pride, by the author of 'Pique'.
Agatha Beaufort or Family pride by the author of 'Pique' Author:Sarah Ellis Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. During the next few weeks, as if by mutual consent, no allusion to their proposed removal from Wood- thorpe was volunteered by any member of Mr D... more »esmond's family. Mrs Beaufort's name also was never mentioned amongst them; yet morning after morning, Margaret's earnest gaze riveted itself with unspeakable anxiety on her father's face, on his return from the village post-office. So frequently had she heard Mr Desmond expatiate on the vindictiveness of Mrs Beaufort's character, that her heart sank within her; and though she had strongly counselled, and even spoken positively to her father of the undoubted success of his application, something like the chill of despair now mingled with her suspense. Yet Margaret's grief sprang not from that hopelessness which prostrates the soul in indescribable bitterness, and by sapping as it were its vital energies, leaves it the prey and sport of unrestrainedimpulse: she knew that a mighty though invisible support through every difficulty is given to all who ask and trust; and in the assurance of this aid being vouchsafed, she reposed. Thoughts of high and courageous endurance of impending evil mingled with her fears, and chased away the desponding melancholy which oppressed her heart, as Margaret sat alone in her own little room, some ten weeks after the despatch of her father's letter toMethwold; again anxiously awaiting his return from the village. Her arm rested upon an open book on the table before her; but it was not the contents of its page which kindled again and again the changeful hue of her cheek, or filled her soft eyes with tears. At length the door of the room opened, and Mrs Desmond appeared. Margaret hastily looked up. " Your father is not yet returned, Margaret. I do not suppose, however, that he will bring bac...« less